The Great
Controversy
Between Christ &
His Angels & Satan & his Angels
E.G.White
1858
An easy to read and fast
moving panorama of the Story of Redemption!
CHAPTER 20
But notwithstanding all the
persecution and the putting to death of the saints, yet living witnesses were
raised up on every hand. The angels of God were doing the work committed to
their trust. They were searching in the darkest places, and were selecting out
of the darkness, men who were honest at heart. They were all buried up in error,
yet God selected them as he did Saul, as chosen vessels to bear his truth, and
raise their voices against the sins of his professed people. The angels of God
moved upon Martin Luther, Melancthon, and others in different places, to thirst
for the living testimony of the word of God. The enemy had come in like a flood,
and the standard must be raised up against him. Luther was chosen to breast the
storm, and stand up against the ire of a fallen church, and strengthen the few
who were faithful to their holy profession. He was ever fearful of offending
God. He tried through works to obtain the favor of God; but he was not satisfied
until a gleam of light from heaven drove the darkness from his mind, and led him
to trust, not in works, but in the merits of the blood of Christ; and to come to
God for himself, not through popes nor confessors, but through Jesus Christ
alone. O how precious was this knowledge to Luther! He prized this new and
precious light which had dawned upon his dark understanding, and had driven away
his superstition, higher than the richest earthly treasure. The word of God was
new. Every thing was changed. The Book he had dreaded because he could not see
beauty in it, was life, LIFE to him. It was his joy, his
consolation, his blessed teacher. Nothing could induce him to leave its study.
He had feared death; but as he read the word of God, all his terrors
disappeared, and he admired the character of God, and loved him. He searched the
word of God for himself. He feasted upon the rich treasures it contained, and
then he searched it for the church. He was disgusted with the sins of those in
whom he had trusted for salvation. He saw very many enshrouded in the same
darkness which had covered him. He anxiously sought an opportunity to point them
to the Lamb of God, who alone taketh away the sin of the world. He raised his
voice against the errors and sins of the Papal church, and earnestly longed to
break the chain of darkness which was confining thousands, and causing them to
trust in works for salvation. He longed to be enabled to open to their minds the
true riches of the grace of God, and the excellence of salvation obtained
through Jesus Christ. He raised his voice zealously, and in the power of the
Holy Spirit, cried against the existing sins of the leaders of the church; and
as he met the storm of opposition from the priests, his courage did not fail;
for he firmly relied upon the strong arm of God, and confidently trusted in him
for victory. And as he pushed the battle closer and closer, the rage of the
priests was kindled against him. They did not wish to be reformed. They chose to
be left in ease, in wanton pleasure, in wickedness. They wished the church kept
in darkness.
I saw that Luther was ardent and zealous,
fearless and bold in reproving sin, and advocating the truth. He cared not for
wicked men and devils. He knew that he had One with him mightier than they all.
Luther possessed fire, zeal, courage and boldness, and at times might go too
far; but God raised up Melancthon, who was just the opposite in character, to
aid Luther, and carry on the work of reformation. Melancthon was timid, fearful,
cautious, and possessed great patience. He was greatly beloved of God. His
knowledge was great in the Scriptures, and his judgment and wisdom was
excellent. His love for the cause of God was equal to Luther's. These hearts,
the Lord knit together; they were friends which were never to be separated.
Luther was a great help to Melancthon when he was in danger of being fearful and
slow, and Melancthon was also a great help to Luther to keep him from moving too
fast. Melancthon's far-seeing cautiousness often averted trouble which would
have come upon the cause, if the work had been left alone to Luther; and the
work would often have failed in being pushed forward, if it had been left to
Melancthon alone. I was shown the wisdom of God in choosing these two men, of
different characters to carry on the work of reformation.
I was then carried back to the days of the
apostles, and saw that God chose as companions an ardent and zealous Peter, and
a mild, patient, meek John. Sometimes Peter was impetuous. And the beloved
disciple often checked Peter, when his zeal and ardor led him too far; but it
did not reform him. But after Peter had denied his Lord, and repented, and was
converted, all he needed was a mild caution from John to check his ardor and
zeal. The cause of Christ would often have suffered had it been left alone to
John. Peter's zeal was needed. His boldness and energy often delivered them from
difficulty, and silenced their enemies. John was winning. He gained many to the
cause of Christ by his patient forbearance, and deep devotedness.
God raised up men to cry against the existing
sins of the Papal church, and carry forward the reformation. Satan sought to
destroy these living witnesses; but God made a hedge about them. Some, for the
glory of his name, were permitted to seal the testimony they had borne with
their blood; but there were other powerful men, like Luther and Melancthon, who
could best glorify God by living and crying aloud against the sins of popes,
priests and kings. They trembled before the voice of Luther. Through those
chosen men, rays of light began to scatter the darkness, and very many joyfully
received the light and walked in it. And when one witness was slain, two or more
were raised up to fill his place.
But Satan was not satisfied. He could only have
power over the body. He could not make believers yield their faith and hope. And
even in death they triumphed with a bright hope of immortality at the
resurrection of the just. They had more than mortal energy. They dared not sleep
for a moment. They kept the Christian armor girded about them, prepared for a
conflict, not merely with spiritual foes, but with Satan in the form of men,
whose constant cry was, Give up your faith, or die. Those few Christians were
strong in God, and more precious in his sight than half a world bearing the name
of Christ, yet cowards in his cause. While the church was persecuted, they were
united and loving. They were strong in God. Sinners were not permitted to unite
themselves with it; neither the deceiver nor the deceived. Those only who were
willing to forsake all for Christ could be his disciples. They loved to be poor,
humble and Christ-like.
CHAPTER 21
Satan then consulted with his
angels, and they there considered what they had gained. It was true that they
had kept some timid souls through fear of death, from embracing the truth; but
many, even of the most timid, received the truth, and immediately their fears
and timidity left them, and as they witnessed the death of their brethren, and
saw their firmness and patience, they knew that God and angels assisted them to
endure such sufferings, and they grew bold and fearless. And when called to
yield their own lives, they maintained their faith with such patience and
firmness as caused even their murderers to tremble. Satan and his angels decided
that there was a more successful way to destroy souls, and more certain in the
end. They saw that although they caused Christians to suffer, their
steadfastness, and the bright hope that cheered them, caused the weakest to grow
strong, and that the rack and the flames could not daunt them. They imitated the
noble bearing of Christ when before his murderers, and many were convinced of
the truth by witnessing their constancy, and the glory of God which rested upon
them. Satan decided that he must come in a milder form. He had corrupted the
doctrines of the Bible; and traditions which were to ruin millions were taking
deep root. He restrained his hate, and decided not to urge on his subjects to
such bitter persecution; but lead on the church to contend, not for the faith
once delivered to the saints, but, for various traditions. As he led on the
church to receive favors and honors of the world, under the false pretense of
benefiting them, she began to lose favor with God. Gradually the church lost her
power, as she shunned to declare the straight truths which shut out the lovers
of pleasure and friends of the world.
The church is not the separate and peculiar
people she was when the fires of persecution were kindled against her. How is
the gold become dim? How is the most fine gold changed?
I saw that if the church had always retained her
holy and peculiar character, the power of the Holy Spirit which was imparted to
the disciples would be with her. The sick would be healed, devils would be
rebuked and cast out, and she would be mighty, and a terror to her enemies.
I saw that a very large company professed the
name of Christ, but God does not recognize them as his. He has no pleasure in
them. Satan seemed to assume a religious character, and was very willing that
the people should think they were Christians. He was very willing that they
should believe in Jesus, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. Satan and his
angels fully believed all this themselves, and trembled. But if this faith does
not provoke to good works, and lead those who profess it to imitate the
self-denying life of Christ, he is not disturbed; for they merely assume the
Christian name, while their hearts are still carnal; and he can use them in his
service better than if they made no profession. Under the name of Christian they
hide their deformity. They pass along with their unsanctified natures, and their
evil passions unsubdued. This gives occasion for the unbeliever to throw their
imperfections in the face of Jesus Christ, to reproach him, and to cause those
who do possess pure and undefiled religion to be brought into disrepute.
The ministers preach smooth things to suit carnal
professors. This is just as Satan would have it. They dare not preach Jesus and
the cutting truths of the Bible; for if they should, these carnal professors
would not hear them. Many of them are wealthy and must be retained in the
church, although they are no more fit to be there than Satan and his angels. The
religion of Jesus is made to appear popular and honorable in the eyes of the
world. The people are told that those who profess religion will be more honored
by the world. Very widely do such teachings differ from the teachings of Christ.
His doctrine and the world could not be at peace. Those who followed him had to
renounce the world. These smooth things originated with Satan and his angels.
They formed the plan, and nominal professors have carried it out. Hypocrites and
sinners unite with the church. Pleasing fables are taught, and readily received.
But if the truth should be preached in its purity, it would soon shut out
hypocrites and sinners. But there is no difference between the professed
followers of Christ and the world. I saw that if the false covering could be
torn off from the members of the churches, there would be revealed such
iniquity, vileness and corruption, that the most diffident child of God would
have no hesitancy in calling them by their right name, children of their father,
the Devil; for his works they do. Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with
disgust upon the scene; yet God had a message for the church that was sacred and
important. If received, it would make a thorough reformation in the church,
revive the living testimony that would purge out hypocrites and sinners, and
bring the church again into favor with God.
See Revelation 3:14-22.
CHAPTER 22
I saw that God sent his angel
to move upon the heart of a farmer who had not believed the Bible, and led him
to search the prophecies. Angels of God repeatedly visited that chosen one, and
guided his mind, and opened his understanding to prophecies which had ever been
dark to God's people. The commencement of the chain of truth was given to him,
and he was led on to search for link after link, until he looked with wonder and
admiration upon the word of God. He saw there a perfect chain of truth. That
Word which he had regarded as uninspired, now opened before his vision with
beauty and glory. He saw that one portion of scripture explained another, and
when one portion was closed to his understanding, he found in another portion of
the Word that which explained it. He regarded the sacred word of God with joy,
and with the deepest respect and awe.
As he followed down the prophecies, he saw that
the inhabitants of earth were living in the closing scenes of this world's
history, and they knew it not. He looked at the corruptions of the churches, and
saw that their love was taken from Jesus, and placed on the world, and that they
were seeking for worldly honor instead of that honor which cometh from above;
ambitious for worldly riches, instead of laying up their treasure in heaven.
Hypocrisy, darkness and death he could see everywhere. His spirit was stirred
within him. God called him to leave his farm, as Elisha was called to leave his
oxen and the field of his labor to follow Elijah. With trembling, William Miller
began to unfold the mysteries of the kingdom of God to the people. He gained
strength with every effort. He carried the people down through the prophecies to
the second advent of Christ. As John the Baptist heralded the first advent of
Jesus, and prepared the way for his coming, so also, Wm. Miller and those who
joined with him, proclaimed the second advent of the Son of God.
I was carried back to the days of the disciples,
and was shown the beloved John, that God had a special work for him to
accomplish. Satan was determined to hinder this work, and he led on his servants
to destroy John. But God sent his angel and wonderfully preserved him. All who
witnessed the great power of God manifested in the deliverance of John, were
astonished, and many were convinced that God was with him, and that the
testimony which he bore concerning Jesus was correct. Those who sought to
destroy him were afraid to again attempt to take his life, and he was permitted
to suffer on for Jesus. He was falsely accused by his enemies, and was shortly
banished to a lonely island, where the Lord sent his angel to reveal to him
things which were to take place upon the earth, and the state of the church down
through to the end; her backslidings, and the position the church should occupy
if she would please God, and finally overcome. The angel from heaven came to
John in majesty. His countenance beamed with the excellent glory of heaven. He
revealed to John scenes of deep and thrilling interest concerning the church of
God, and brought before him the perilous conflicts they were to endure. John saw
them pass through fiery trials, and made white and tried, and, finally,
victorious overcomers, gloriously saved in the kingdom of God. The countenance
of the angel grew radiant with joy, and was exceeding glorious, as he showed to
John the final triumph of the church of God. John was enraptured as he beheld
the final deliverance of the church, and as he was carried away with the glory
of the scene, with deep reverence and awe he fell at the feet of the angel to
worship him. The angel instantly raised him up, and gently reproved him, saying,
See thou do it not; I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the
testimony of Jesus; worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy. The angel then showed John the heavenly city with all its splendor and
dazzling glory. John was enraptured and overwhelmed with the glory of the city.
He did not bear in mind his former reproof from the angel, but again fell to
worship before the feet of the angel, who again gave the gentle reproof, See
thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets,
and of them that keep the sayings of this book; worship God.
Preachers and people have looked upon the book of
Revelation as mysterious, and of less importance than other portions of the
sacred Scriptures. But I saw that this book is indeed a revelation given for the
especial benefit of those who should live in the last days, to guide them in
ascertaining their true position, and their duty. God led the mind of Wm. Miller
into the prophecies, and gave him great light upon the book of Revelation.
If Daniel's visions had been understood, the
people could better have understood the visions of John. But at the right time,
God moved upon his chosen servant, who with clearness and in the power of the
Holy Spirit, opened the prophecies, and showed the harmony of the visions of
Daniel and John, and other portions of the Bible, and pressed home upon the
hearts of the people the sacred, fearful warnings of the Word, to prepare for
the coming of the Son of man. Deep and solemn convictions rested upon the minds
of those who heard him, and ministers and people, sinners and infidels, turned
to the Lord, to seek a preparation to stand in the judgment.
Angels of God accompanied Wm. Miller in his
mission. He was firm and undaunted. He fearlessly proclaimed the message
committed to his trust. A world lying in wickedness, and a cold, worldly church
were enough to call into action his energy, and lead him to willingly endure
toil, privation and suffering. Although opposed by professed Christians and the
world, and buffeted by Satan and his angels, he ceased not to preach the
everlasting gospel to crowds wherever he was invited, and sound the cry, Fear
God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.
See Daniel 8:14; Revelation 19:10.
CHAPTER 23
I saw that God was in the
proclamation of the time in 1843. It was his design to arouse the people, and
bring them to a testing point where they should decide. Ministers were convicted
and convinced of the correctness of the positions taken on the prophetic
periods, and they left their pride, their salaries, and their churches, to go
forth from place to place and proclaim the message. But as the message from
heaven could find a place in the hearts of but a very few of the professed
ministers of Christ, the work was laid upon many who were not preachers. Some
left their fields to sound the message, while others were called from their
shops and their merchandise. And even some professional men were compelled to
leave their professions to engage in the unpopular work of giving the first
angel's message. Ministers laid aside their sectarian views and feelings, and
united in proclaiming the coming of Jesus. The people were moved everywhere the
message reached them. Sinners repented, wept and prayed for forgiveness, and
those whose lives had been marked with dishonesty, were anxious to make
restitution.
Parents felt the deepest solicitude for their
children. Those who received the message, labored with their unconverted friends
and relatives, and with their souls bowed with the weight of the solemn message,
warned and entreated them to prepare for the coming of the Son of man. Those
cases were the most hardened that would not yield to such a weight of evidence
set home by heart-felt warnings. This soul-purifying work led the affections
away from worldly things, to a consecration never before experienced. Thousands
were led to embrace the truth preached by Wm. Miller, and servants of God were
raised up in the spirit and power of Elijah to proclaim the message. Those who
preached this solemn message, like John the forerunner of Jesus, felt compelled
to lay the axe at the root of the tree, and call upon men to bring forth fruits
meet for repentance. Their testimony was calculated to arouse and powerfully
affect the churches, and manifest their real character. And as they raised the
solemn warning to flee from the wrath to come, many who were united with the
churches received the healing message; they saw their backslidings, and, with
bitter tears of repentance, and deep agony of soul, humbled themselves before
God. And as the Spirit of God rested upon them, they helped to sound the cry,
Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come.
The preaching of definite time called forth great
opposition from all classes, from the minister in the pulpit, down to the most
reckless, heaven-daring sinner. No man knoweth the day and the hour, was heard
from the hypocritical minister and the bold scoffer. Neither would be instructed
and corrected on the use made of the text by those who were pointing to the year
when they believed the prophetic periods would run out, and to the signs which
showed Christ near, even at the doors. Many shepherds of the flock, who
professed to love Jesus, said they had no opposition to the preaching of
Christ's coming; but they objected to the definite time. God's all-seeing eye
read their hearts. They did not love Jesus near. They knew that their
unchristian lives would not stand the test; for they were not walking in the
humble path laid out by him. These false shepherds stood in the way of the work
of God. The truth spoken in its convincing power to the people aroused them, and
like the jailer, they began to inquire, What must I do to be saved. But these
shepherds stepped between the truth and the people, and preached smooth things
to lead them from the truth. They united with Satan and his angels, and cried,
Peace, peace, when there was no peace. I saw that angels of God had marked it
all, and the garments of those unconsecrated shepherds were covered with the
blood of souls. Those who loved their ease, and were content with their distance
from God, would not be aroused from their carnal security.
Many ministers would not accept this saving
message themselves, and those who would receive it, they hindered. The blood of
souls is upon them. Preachers and people joined to oppose this message from
heaven. They persecuted Wm. Miller, and those who united with him in the work.
Falsehoods were circulated to injure his influence, and at different times after
he had plainly declared the counsel of God, applying cutting truths to the
hearts of his hearers, great rage was kindled against him, and as he left the
place of meeting, some waylaid him in order to take his life. But angels of God
were sent to preserve his life, and they led him safely away from the angry mob.
His work was not yet finished.
The most devoted gladly received the message.
They knew it was from God, and that it was delivered at the right time. Angels
were watching with the deepest interest the result of the heavenly message, and
when the churches turned from and rejected it, they in sadness consulted with
Jesus. He turned his face from the churches, and bid his angels to faithfully
watch over the precious ones who did not reject the testimony, for another light
was yet to shine upon them.
I saw that if professed Christians had loved
their Saviour's appearing, if their affections were placed on him, if they felt
that there was none upon earth to be compared with him, they would have hailed
with joy the first intimation of his coming. But the dislike they manifested, as
they heard of their Lord's coming, was a decided proof that they did not love
him. Satan and his angels triumphed, and cast it in the face of Jesus Christ and
his holy angels, that his professed people had so little love for Jesus that
they did not desire his second appearing.
I saw the people of God, joyful in expectation,
looking for their Lord. But God designed to prove them. His hand covered a
mistake in the reckoning of the prophetic periods. Those who were looking for
their Lord did not discover it, and the most learned men who opposed the time
also failed to see the mistake. God designed that his people should meet with a
disappointment. The time passed, and those who had looked with joyful
expectation for their Saviour were sad and disheartened, while those who had not
loved the appearing of Jesus, but embraced the message through fear, were
pleased that he did not come at the time of expectation. Their profession had
not affected their hearts, and purified their lives. The passing of the time was
well calculated to reveal such hearts. They were the first to turn and ridicule
the sorrowful, disappointed ones, who really loved the appearing of their
Saviour. I saw the wisdom of God in proving his people, and giving them a
searching test to discover those who would shrink and turn back in the hour of
trial.
Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with
sympathy and love upon those who had with sweet expectation longed to see him
whom their souls loved. Angels were hovering around them, to sustain them in the
hour of their trial. Those who had neglected to receive the heavenly message
were left in darkness, and God's anger was kindled against them, because they
would not receive the light he had sent them from heaven. Those faithful,
disappointed ones, who could not understand why their Lord did not come, were
not left in darkness. Again they were led to their Bibles to search the
prophetic periods. The hand of the Lord was removed from the figures, and the
mistake was explained. They saw that the prophetic periods reached to 1844, and
that the same evidence they had presented to show that the prophetic periods
closed in 1843, proved that they would terminate in 1844. Light from the word of
God shone upon their position, and they discovered a tarrying time. -- If the
vision tarry, wait for it. -- In their love for Jesus' immediate coming, they
had overlooked the tarrying of the vision, which was calculated to manifest the
true waiting ones. Again they had a point of time. Yet I saw that many of them
could not rise above their severe disappointment, to possess that degree of zeal
and energy which had marked their faith in 1843.
Satan and his angels triumphed over them, and
those who would not receive the message, congratulated themselves upon their
far-seeing judgment and wisdom in not receiving the delusion, as they called it.
They realized not that they were rejecting the counsel of God against
themselves, and that they were working in union with Satan and his angels to
perplex God's people, who were living out the heaven-born message.
The believers in this message were oppressed in
the churches. Fear had held them for a time, so that they did not act out the
sentiments of their heart, but the passing of the time revealed their true
feelings. They wished to silence the testimony which the believers felt
compelled to bear, that the prophetic periods extended to 1844. With clearness
they explained their mistake, and gave their reasons why they expected their
Lord in 1844. The opposers could not bring any arguments against the powerful
reasons offered. The anger of the churches was kindled against them. They were
determined not to listen to any evidence, and to shut their testimony out of the
churches, so that others could not hear it. Those who dared not withhold from
others the light God had given them, were shut out of the churches; but Jesus
was with them, and they were joyful in the light of his countenance. They were
prepared to receive the message of the second angel.
See Malachi 3; John 14:1-3; Revelation 14:6.
CHAPTER 24
The churches would not receive
the light of the first angel's message, and as they rejected the light from
heaven they fell from the favor of God. They trusted in their own strength, and
placed themselves by their opposition to the first message where they could not
see the light of the second angel's message. But the beloved of God, who were
oppressed, answered to the message, Babylon is fallen, and left the fallen
churches.
Near the close of the second angel's message, I
saw a great light from heaven shining upon the people of God. The rays of this
light seemed bright as the sun. And I heard the voices of angels crying, Behold
the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him!
The midnight cry was given to give power to the
second angel's message. Angels were sent from heaven to wake up the discouraged
saints, and prepare them for the great work before them. The most talented men
were not the first to receive this message. Angels were sent to the humble,
devoted ones, and constrained them to raise the cry, Behold the Bridegroom
cometh, go ye out to meet him. Those entrusted with the cry made haste, and in
the power of the Holy Spirit spread the cry, and aroused their discouraged
brethren. This cry did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the
power of God, and his saints who heard the cry could not resist it. The most
spiritual received this message first, and those who had formerly led in the
work were the last to receive and help swell the cry, Behold the Bridegroom
cometh, go ye out to meet him.
In every part of the land, light was given upon
the second angel's message, and the cry was melting down thousands. It went from
city to city, and from village to village, until the wait-ing people of God were
fully aroused. Many would not permit this message to enter the churches, and a
large company who had the living testimony within them left the fallen churches.
A mighty work was accomplished by the midnight cry. The message was
heart-searching, and led the believers to seek a living experience for
themselves. They knew that they could not lean upon one another.
The saints anxiously waited for their Lord with
fasting, watching and almost constant prayer. Even some sinners looked forward
to the time with terror, while the great mass seemed to be stirred against this
message, and manifested the spirit of Satan. They mocked and scoffed, and
everywhere was heard, No man knoweth the day and the hour. Evil angels exulted
around them, urging them on to harden their hearts, and to reject every ray of
light from heaven, that they might fasten them in the snare. Many professed to
be looking for their Lord, who had neither part nor lot in the matter. The glory
of God they had witnessed, the humility and deep devotion of the waiting ones,
and the overwhelming weight of evidence, caused them to profess to receive the
truth. But they were not converted. They were not ready. A spirit of solemn and
earnest prayer was everywhere felt by the saints. A holy solemnity was resting
upon them. Angels with the deepest interest had watched the result, and were
elevating those who received the heavenly message, and were drawing them from
earthly things to obtain large supplies from salvation's fountain. God's people
were then accepted with him. Jesus looked upon them with pleasure. His image was
reflected in them. They had made a full sacrifice, an entire consecration, and
expected to be changed to immortality. But they were destined to be again sadly
disappointed. The time to which they looked, expecting deliverance, passed. They
were still upon the earth, and the effects of the curse never seemed more
visible. They had placed their affections on heaven, and in sweet anticipation,
had tasted immortal deliverance; but their hopes were not realized.
The fear that had rested upon many of the people
did not at once disappear. They did not immediately triumph over the
disappointed ones. But as no visible wrath of God was felt by them, they
recovered from the fear they had felt, and commenced their ridicule, their
mocking, and scoffing. The people of God were again proved, and tested. The
world laughed, and mocked, and reproached them; and those who had believed
without a doubt that Jesus would then come and raise the dead, and change the
living saints, and take the kingdom, and possess it forever, felt like the
disciples of Christ. They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they
have laid him.
See Revelation 14:8.
CHAPTER 25
I saw a number of companies who
seemed to be bound together by cords. Many in these companies were in total
darkness. Their eyes were directed downward to the earth, and there seemed to be
no connection between them and Jesus. I saw individuals scattered through these
different companies whose countenances looked light, and whose eyes were raised
upward to heaven. Beams of light from Jesus, like rays of light from the sun,
were imparted to them. An angel bid me look carefully, and I saw an angel
watching over every one of those who had a ray of light, while evil angels
surrounded those who were in darkness. I heard the voice of an angel cry, Fear
God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come.
A glorious light rested down upon these
companies, to enlighten all who would receive it. Some of those who were in
darkness received the light and rejoiced; while others resisted the light from
heaven, and said that it was deception to lead them astray. The light passed
away from them, and they were left in darkness. Those who had received the light
from Jesus, joyfully cherished the increase of precious light which was shed
upon them. Their faces lighted up, and beamed with holy joy, while their gaze
was directed upward to Jesus with intense interest, and their voices were heard
in harmony with the voice of the angel, Fear God and give glory to him, for the
hour of his judgment is come. As they raised this cry, I saw those who were in
darkness thrusting them with side and with shoulder. Then many of those who
cherished the sacred light, broke the cords which confined them, and stood out
separate from those companies. And as many were breaking the cords which bound
them, men belonging to these different companies, who were revered by them,
passed through the companies, and some with pleasing words, and others with
wrathful looks and threatening gestures, fastened the cords which were
weakening, and were constantly saying, God is with us. We stand in the light. We
have the truth. I inquired who these men were. I was told that they were
ministers, and leading men, who had rejected the light themselves, and were
unwilling that others should receive it. I saw those who cherished the light
looking with interest and ardent desire upward, expecting Jesus to come and take
them to himself. Soon a cloud passed over those who rejoiced in the light, and
their faces looked sorrowful. I inquired the cause of this cloud. I was shown
that it was their disappointment. The time when they expected their Saviour had
passed, and Jesus had not come. Discouragement settled upon them, and those men
I had before noticed, the ministers and leading men, rejoiced. Those who had
rejected the light, triumphed greatly, while Satan and his evil angels also
exulted around them.
Then I heard the voice of another angel, saying,
Babylon is fallen! is fallen! A light shone upon those desponding ones, and with
ardent desires for his appearing, they again fixed their eyes upon Jesus. Then I
saw a number of angels conversing with the second angel, who had cried, Babylon
is fallen, is fallen, and these angels raised their voices with the second
angel, and cried, Behold the Bridegroom cometh! go ye out to meet him! The
musical voices of these angels seemed to reach everywhere. An exceeding bright
and glorious light shone around those who had cherished the light which had been
imparted to them. Their faces shone with excellent glory, and they united with
the angels in the cry, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh! And as they harmoniously
raised the cry among these different companies, those who rejected the light,
pushed them, and with angry looks, scorned and derided them. But the angels of
God wafted their wings over the persecuted ones, while Satan and his angels were
seeking to press their darkness around them, to lead them to reject the light
from heaven.
Then I heard a voice saying to those who had been
pushed and derided, come out from among them, and touch not the unclean. A large
number broke the cords which bound them, and they obeyed the voice, and left
those who were in darkness, and united with those who had previously broken the
cords, and they joyfully united their voices with them. I heard the voice of
earnest, agonizing prayer from a few who still remained with the companies who
were in darkness. The ministers and leading men were passing around in these
different companies, fastening the cords stronger; but still I heard this voice
of earnest prayer. Then I saw those who had been praying reach out their hands
for help towards that united company who were free, rejoicing in God. The answer
from them, as they earnestly looked to heaven, and pointed upward, was, Come out
from among them, and be separate. I saw individuals struggling for freedom, and
at last they broke the cords that bound them. They resisted the efforts which
were made to fasten the cords tighter, and would not heed the repeated
assertions, God is with us, We have the truth with us. Individuals continued to
leave the companies who were in darkness, and joined the free company, who
appeared to be in an open field raised above the earth. Their gaze was upward,
and the glory of God rested upon them, and they shouted the praises of God. They
were united, and seemed to be wrapt in the light of heaven. Around this company
were some who came under the influence of the light, but who were not
particularly united to the company. All who cherished the light shed upon them
were gazing upward with intense interest. Jesus looked upon them with sweet
approbation. They expected Jesus to come. They longed for his appearing. They
did not cast one lingering look to earth. Again I saw a cloud settle upon the
waiting ones. I saw them turn their weary eyes downward. I inquired the cause of
this change. Said my accompanying angel, They are again disappointed in their
expectations. Jesus cannot yet come to earth. They must yet suffer for Jesus and
endure greater trials. They must give up errors and traditions received from
men, and turn wholly to God and his word. They must be purified, made white and
tried. And those who endure that bitter trial will obtain an eternal victory.
Jesus did not come to earth as the waiting,
joyful company expected, to cleanse the Sanctuary, by purifying the earth by
fire. I saw that they were correct in their reckoning of the prophetic periods.
Prophetic time closed in 1844. Their mistake consisted in not understanding what
the Sanctuary was, and the nature of its cleansing. Jesus did enter the Most
Holy place to cleanse the Sanctuary at the ending of the days. I looked again at
the waiting, disappointed company. They looked sad. They carefully examined the
evidences of their faith, and followed down through the reckoning of the
prophetic periods, and could discover no mistake. Time was fulfilled, but where
was their Saviour? They had lost him.
I was then shown the disappointment of the
disciples as they came to the sepulchre and found not the body of Jesus. Said
Mary, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
Angels told the sorrowing disciples that their Lord had risen, and would go
before them into Galilee.
I saw that as Jesus looked upon the disappointed
ones with the deepest compassion, he sent his angels to direct their minds that
they might find him, and follow him where he was; that they might understand
that the earth is not the Sanctuary; that he must needs enter the Most Holy
place of the heavenly Sanctuary to cleanse it; to make a special atonement for
Israel, and to receive the kingdom of his Father, and then return to earth and
take them to dwell with him forever. The disappointment of the disciples well
represents the disappointment of those who expected their Lord in 1844. I was
carried back to the time when Christ triumphantly rode into Jerusalem. The
joyful disciples believed that he was then to take the kingdom, and reign a
temporal prince. They followed their King with high hopes. They cut down the
beautiful palm branches, and took off their outer garments, and with
enthusiastic zeal spread them in the way; and some went before, and others
followed crying, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the
name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! The excitement disturbed the
Pharisees, and they wished Jesus to rebuke his disciples. But he said unto them,
If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. The
prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, must be fulfilled, yet, I saw, the disciples were
doomed to a bitter disappointment. In a few days they followed Jesus to Calvary,
and beheld him bleeding and mangled upon the cruel cross. They witnessed his
agonizing death, and laid him in the tomb. Their hearts sunk with grief. Their
expectations were not realized in a single particular. Their hopes died with
Jesus. But as he arose from the dead, and appeared to his sorrowing disciples,
their hopes revived. They had lost their Saviour; but again they had found him.
I saw that the disappointment of those who
believed in the coming of the Lord in 1844, was not equal to the disappointment
of the disciples. Prophecy was fulfilled in the first and second angels'
messages. They were given at the right time, and accomplished the work God
designed they should.
See Habakkuk 2:1-3.
CHAPTER 26
I was shown the interest which
all heaven had taken in the work which had been going on upon the earth. Jesus
commissioned a strong and mighty angel to descend and warn the inhabitants of
earth to get ready for his second appearing. I saw the mighty angel leave the
presence of Jesus in heaven. Before him went an exceedingly bright and glorious
light. I was told that his mission was to lighten the earth with his glory, and
warn man of the coming wrath of God. Multitudes received the light. Some seemed
to be very solemn, while others were joyful and enraptured. The light was shed
upon all, but some merely came under the influence of the light, and did not
heartily receive it. But all who received it, turned their faces upward to
heaven, and glorified God. Many were filled with great wrath. Ministers and
people united with the vile, and stoutly resisted the light shed by the mighty
angel. But all who received it withdrew from the world, and were closely united
together.
Satan and his angels were busily engaged in
seeking to attract the minds of all they could from the light. The company who
rejected it were left in darkness. I saw the angel watching with the deepest
interest the professed people of God, to record the character they developed, as
the message of heavenly origin was introduced to them. And as very many who
professed love for Jesus turned from the heavenly message with scorn, derision
and hatred, an angel with a parchment in his hand, made the shameful record. All
heaven was filled with indignation, because Jesus was slighted by his professed
followers.
I saw the disappointment of the trusting ones.
They did not see their Lord at the expected time. It was God's purpose to
conceal the future, and bring his people to a point of decision. Without this
point of time the work designed of God would not have been accomplished. Satan
was leading the minds of very many far ahead in the future. A period of time
proclaimed for Christ's appearing must bring the mind to earnestly seek for a
present preparation. As the time passed, those who had not fully received the
light of the angel, united with those who had despised the heavenly message, and
they turned upon the disappointed ones in ridicule. I saw the angels in heaven
consulting with Jesus. They had marked the situation of Christ's professed
followers. The passing of the definite time had tested and proved them, and very
many were weighed in the balance and found wanting. They all loudly professed to
be Christians, yet failed in following Christ in almost every particular. Satan
exulted at the state of the professed followers of Christ. He had them in his
snare. He had led the majority to leave the straight path, and they were
attempting to climb up to heaven some other way. Angels saw the pure, the clean,
and holy, all mixed up with sinners in Zion, and the world-loving hypocrite.
They had watched over the true lovers of Jesus; but the corrupt were affecting
the holy.
Those whose hearts burned with a longing, intense
desire to see Jesus, were forbidden by their professed brethren to speak of his
coming. Angels viewed the whole scene, and sympathized with the remnant, who
loved the appearing of Jesus. Another mighty angel was commissioned to descend
to earth. Jesus placed in his hand a writing, and as he came to earth, he cried,
Babylon is fallen! is fallen! Then I saw the disappointed ones again look
cheerful, and raise their eyes to heaven, looking with faith and hope for their
Lord's appearing. But many seemed to remain in a stupid state, as if asleep; yet
I could see the trace of deep sorrow upon their countenances. The disappointed
ones saw from the Bible that they were in the tarrying time, and that they must
patiently wait the fulfillment of the vision. The same evidence which led them
to look for their Lord in 1843, led them to expect him in 1844. I saw that the
majority did not possess that energy which marked their faith in 1843. Their
disappointment had dampened their faith. But as the disappointed ones united in
the cry of the second angel, the heavenly host looked with the deepest interest,
and marked the effect of the message. They saw those who bore the name of
Christians turn with derision and scorn upon those who had been disappointed. As
the words fell from the mocker's lips, You have not gone up yet! an angel wrote
them. Said the angel, They mock God.
I was pointed back to the translation of Elijah.
His mantle fell on Elisha, and wicked children (or young people) followed him,
mocking, crying, Go up thou bald head! Go up thou bald head! They mocked God,
and met their punishment there. They had learned it of their parents. And those
who have scoffed and mocked at the idea of the saints' going up, will be visited
with the plagues of God, and will realize that it is not a small thing to trifle
with him.
Jesus commissioned other angels to fly quickly to
revive and strengthen the drooping faith of his people, and prepare them to
understand the message of the second angel, and of the important move which was
soon to be made in heaven. I saw these angels receive great power and light from
Jesus, and fly quickly to earth to fulfill their commission to aid the second
angel in his work. A great light shone upon the people of God as the angels
cried, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Then I saw those
disappointed ones rise, and in harmony with the second angel, proclaim, Behold
the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. The light from the angels
penetrated the darkness everywhere. Satan and his angels sought to hinder this
light from spreading, and having its designed effect. They contended with the
angels of God, and told them that God had deceived the people, and that with all
their light and power, they could not make the people believe that Jesus was
coming. The angels of God continued their work, although Satan strove to hedge
up the way, and draw the minds of the people from the light. Those who received
it looked very happy. They fixed their eyes up to heaven, and longed for the
appearing of Jesus. Some were in great distress, weeping and praying. Their eyes
seemed to be fixed upon themselves, and they dared not look upward.
A precious light from heaven parted the darkness
from them, and their eyes, which had been fixed in despair upon themselves, were
turned upward, while gratitude and holy joy were expressed upon every feature.
Jesus and all the angelic host looked with approbation upon the faithful,
waiting ones.
Those who rejected and opposed the light of the
first angel's message, lost the light of the second, and could not be benefited
by the power and glory which attended the message, Behold the Bridegroom cometh.
Jesus turned from them with a frown. They had slighted and rejected him. Those
who received the message were wrapt in a cloud of glory. They waited and watched
and prayed to know the will of God. They greatly feared to offend him. I saw
Satan and his angels seeking to shut this divine light from the people of God;
but as long as the waiting ones cherished the light, and kept their eyes raised
from earth to Jesus, Satan could have no power to deprive them of this precious
light. The message given from heaven enraged Satan and his angels, and those who
professed to love Jesus, but despised his coming, scorned and derided the
faithful, trusting ones. But an angel marked every insult, every slight, every
abuse they received from their professed brethren. Very many raised their voices
to cry, Behold the Bridegroom cometh, and left their brethren who did not love
the appearing of Jesus, and who would not suffer them to dwell upon his second
coming. I saw Jesus turn his face from those who rejected and despised his
coming, and then he bade angels lead his people out from among the unclean, lest
they should be defiled. Those obedient to the messages stood out free and
united. A holy and excellent light shone upon them. They renounced the world,
tore their affections from it, and sacrificed their earthly interests. They gave
up their earthly treasure and their anxious gaze was directed to heaven,
expecting to see their loved Deliverer. A sacred, holy joy beamed upon their
countenances, and told of the peace and joy which reigned within. Jesus bade his
angels go and strengthen them, for the hour of their trial drew on. I saw that
these waiting ones were not yet tried as they must be. They were not free from
errors. And I saw the mercy and goodness of God in sending a warning to the
people of earth, and repeated messages to bring them up to a point of time, to
lead them to a diligent search of themselves, that they might divest themselves
of errors which have been handed down from the heathen and papists. Through
these messages God has been bringing out his people where he can work for them
in greater power, and where they can keep all his commandments.
See Matthew 25:6; Revelation 3:14-16, 18:1,
22:14.
CHAPTER 27
I was then shown the grievous
disappointment of the people of God. They did not see Jesus at the expected
time. They knew not why their Saviour did not come. They could see no evidence
why prophetic time had not ended. Said an angel, Has God's word failed? Has God
failed to fulfill his promises? No: he has fulfilled all he promised. Jesus has
risen up, and has shut the door of the Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary, and
has opened a door into the Most Holy place, and has entered in to cleanse the
Sanctuary. Said the angel, All who wait patiently shall understand the mystery.
Man has erred; but there has been no failure on the part of God. All was
accomplished that God promised; but man erroneously looked to the earth,
believing it to be the Sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the prophetic
periods. Man's expectations have failed; but God's promise not at all. Jesus
sent his angels to direct the disappointed ones, to lead their minds into the
Most Holy place where he had gone to cleanse the Sanctuary, and make a special
atonement for Israel. Jesus told the angels that all who found him would
understand the work which he was to perform. I saw that while Jesus was in the
Most Holy place he would be married to the New Jerusalem, and after his work
should be accomplished in the Holiest, he would descend to earth in kingly power
and take the precious ones to himself who had patiently waited his return.
I was then shown what did take place in heaven as
the prophetic periods ended in 1844. I saw that as the ministration of Jesus in
the Holy place ended, and he closed the door of that apartment, a great darkness
settled upon those who had heard, and had rejected the messages of Christ's
coming, and they lost sight of him. Jesus then clothed himself with precious
garments. Around the bottom of his robe was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and
a pomegranate. He had suspended from his shoulders a breastplate of curious
work. And as he moved, it glittered like diamonds, magnifying letters which
looked like names written, or engraven upon the breastplate. After he was fully
attired, with something upon his head which looked like a crown, angels
surrounded him, and in a flaming chariot he passed within the second vail. I was
then bid to take notice of the two apartments of the heavenly Sanctuary. The
curtain, or door, was opened, and I was permitted to enter. In the first
apartment I saw the candlestick with seven lamps, which looked rich and
glorious; also the table on which was the shew-bread, and the altar of incense,
and the censer. All the furniture of this apartment looked like purest gold, and
reflected the image of the one who entered that place. The curtain which
separated these two apartments looked glorious. It was of different colors and
material, with a beautiful border, with figures of gold wrought upon it,
representing angels. The vail was lifted, and I looked into the second
apartment. I saw there an ark which had the appearance of being of the finest
gold. As a border around the top of the ark, was most beautiful work
representing crowns. It was of fine gold. In the ark were the tables of stone
containing the ten commandments. On each end of the ark was a lovely cherub with
their wings spread out over it. Their wings were raised on high, and touched
each other above the head of Jesus, as he stood by the ark. Their faces were
turned towards each other, and they looked downwards to the ark, representing
all the angelic host looking with interest at the law of God. Between the
cherubim was a golden censer. And as the prayers of the saints in faith came up
to Jesus, and he offered them to his Father, a sweet fragrance arose from the
incense. It looked like smoke of most beautiful colors. Above the place where
Jesus stood, before the ark, I saw an exceeding bright glory that I could not
look upon. It appeared like a throne where God dwelt. As the incense ascended up
to the Father, the excellent glory came from the Father's throne to Jesus, and
from Jesus it was shed upon those whose prayers had come up like sweet incense.
Light and glory poured upon Jesus in rich abundance, and overshadowed the
mercy-seat, and the train of the glory filled the temple. I could not long look
upon the glory. No language can describe it. I was overwhelmed, and turned from
the majesty and glory of the scene.
I was shown a Sanctuary upon earth containing two
apartments. It resembled the one in heaven. I was told that it was the earthly
Sanctuary, a figure of the heavenly. The furniture of the first apartment of the
earthly Sanctuary was like that in the first apartment of the heavenly. The vail
was lifted, and I looked into the Holy of Holies, and saw that the furniture was
the same as in the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary. The priests
ministered in both apartments of the earthly. In the first apartment he
ministered every day in the year, and entered the Most Holy but once in a year,
to cleanse it from the sins which had been conveyed there. I saw that Jesus
ministered in both apartments of the heavenly Sanctuary. He entered into the
heavenly Sanctuary by the offering of his own blood. The earthly priests were
removed by death, therefore they could not continue long; but Jesus, I saw, was
a priest forever. Through the sacrifices and offerings brought to the earthly
Sanctuary, the children of Israel were to lay hold of the merits of a Saviour to
come. And in the wisdom of God the particulars of this work were given us that
we might look back to them, and understand the work of Jesus in the heavenly
Sanctuary.
At the crucifixion, as Jesus died on Calvary, he
cried, It is finished, and the vail of the temple was rent in twain, from the
top to the bottom. This was to show that the services of the earthly Sanctuary
were forever finished, and that God would no more meet with them in their
earthly temple, to accept their sacrifices. The blood of Jesus was then shed,
which was to be ministered by himself in the heavenly Sanctuary. As the priests
in the earthly Sanctuary entered the Most Holy once a year to cleanse the
Sanctuary, Jesus entered the Most Holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300
days of Daniel 8, in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be
benefited by his mediation, and to cleanse the Sanctuary.
See Jeremiah 3:14; Hebrews 9; Revelation 3:8,
4:1, 21:2.
CHAPTER 28
As the ministration of Jesus
closed in the Holy place, and he passed into the Holiest, and stood before the
ark containing the law of God, he sent another mighty angel to earth with the
third message. He placed a parchment in the angel's hand, and as he descended to
earth in majesty and power, he proclaimed a fearful warning, the most terrible
threatening ever borne to man. This message was designed to put the children of
God upon their guard, and show them the hour of temptation and anguish that was
before them. Said the angel, They will be brought into close combat with the
beast and his image. Their only hope of eternal life is to remain steadfast.
Although their lives are at stake, yet they must hold fast the truth. The third
angel closes his message with these words, Here is the patience of the saints;
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. As he
repeated these words he pointed to the heavenly Sanctuary. The minds of all who
embrace this message are directed to the Most Holy place where Jesus stands
before the ark, making his final intercession for all those for whom mercy still
lingers, and for those who have ignorantly broken the law of God. This atonement
is made for the righteous dead as well as for the righteous living. Jesus makes
an atonement for those who died, not receiving the light upon God's
commandments, who sinned ignorantly.
After Jesus opened the door of the Most Holy the
light of the Sabbath was seen, and the people of God were to be tested and
proved, as God proved the children of Israel anciently, to see if they would
keep his law. I saw the third angel pointing upward, showing the disappointed
ones the way to the Holiest of the heavenly Sanctuary. They followed Jesus by
faith into the Most Holy. Again they have found Jesus, and joy and hope spring
up anew. I saw them looking back reviewing the past, from the proclamation of
the second advent of Jesus, down through their travels to the passing of the
time in 1844. They see their disappointment explained, and joy and certainty
again animate them. The third angel has lighted up the past, present and future,
and they know that God has indeed led them by his mysterious providence.
It was represented to me that the remnant
followed Jesus into the Most Holy place, and beheld the ark, and the mercy-seat,
and were captivated with their glory. Jesus raised the cover of the ark, and
behold! the tables of stone, with the ten commandments written upon them. They
trace down the lively oracles; but they start back with trembling when they see
the fourth commandment living among the ten holy precepts, while a brighter
light shines upon it than upon the other nine, and a halo of glory is all around
it. They find nothing there informing them that the Sabbath has been abolished,
or changed to the first day of the week. It reads as when spoken by the mouth of
God in solemn and awful grandeur upon the mount, while the lightnings flashed
and the thunders rolled, and when written with his own holy finger in the tables
of stone. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. They are amazed as they behold the care taken
of the ten commandments. They see them placed close by Jehovah, overshadowed and
protected by his holiness. They see that they have been trampling upon the
fourth commandment of the decalogue, and have observed a day handed down by the
heathen and papists, instead of the day sanctified by Jehovah. They humble
themselves before God, and mourn over their past transgressions.
I saw the incense in the censer smoke as Jesus
offered their confessions and prayers to his Father. And as it ascended, a
bright light rested upon Jesus, and upon the mercy-seat; and the earnest,
praying ones, who were troubled because they had discovered themselves to be
transgressors of God's law, were blest, and their countenances lighted up with
hope and joy. They joined in the work of the third angel, and raised their
voices and proclaimed the solemn warning. But few at first received the message,
yet they continued with energy to proclaim the warning. Then I saw many embrace
the message of the third angel, and unite their voices with those who had first
proclaimed the warning, and they exalted God and magnified him by observing his
sanctified Rest-day.
Many who embraced the third message had not an
experience in the two former messages. Satan understood this, and his evil eye
was upon them to overthrow them; but the third angel was pointing them to the
Most Holy place, and those who had an experience in the past messages were
pointing them the way to the heavenly Sanctuary. Many saw the perfect chain of
truth in the angels' messages, and gladly received it. They embraced them in
their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly Sanctuary. These
messages were represented to me as an anchor to hold the body. And as
individuals receive and understand them, they are shielded against the many
delusions of Satan.
After the great disappointment in 1844, Satan and
his angels were busily engaged in laying snares to unsettle the faith of the
body. He was affecting the minds of individuals who had a personal experience in
these things. They had an appearance of humility. They changed the first and
second messages, and pointed to the future for their fulfilment, while others
pointed far back in the past, declaring that they had been there fulfilled.
These individuals were drawing the minds of the inexperienced away, and
unsettling their faith. Some were searching the Bible to try to build up a faith
of their own, independent of the body. Satan exulted in all this; for he knew
that those who broke loose from the anchor, he could affect by different errors
and drive about with winds of doctrine. Many who had led in the first and second
messages, denied them, and division and scattering was throughout the body. I
then saw Wm. Miller. He looked perplexed, and was bowed with sorrow and distress
for his people. He saw the company who were united and loving in 1844, losing
their love for each other, and opposing one another. He saw them fall back into
a cold, backslidden state. Grief wasted his strength. I saw leading men watching
Wm. Miller, and fearing lest he should embrace the third angel's message and the
commandments of God. And as he would lean towards the light from heaven, these
men would lay some plan to draw his mind away. I saw a human influence exerted
to keep his mind in darkness, and to retain his influence among them. At length
Wm. Miller raised his voice against the light from heaven. He failed in not
receiving the message which would have fully explained his disappointment, and
cast a light and glory on the past, which would have revived his exhausted
energies, brightened up his hope, and led him to glorify God. But he leaned to
human wisdom instead of divine, and being broken with arduous labor in his
Master's cause, and by age, he was not as accountable as those who kept him from
the truth. They are responsible, and the sin rests upon them. If Wm. Miller
could have seen the light of the third message, many things which looked dark
and mysterious to him would have been explained. His brethren professed such
deep love and interest for him, he thought he could not tear away from them. His
heart would incline towards the truth; but then he looked at his brethren. They
opposed it. Could he tear away from those who had stood side and shoulder with
him in proclaiming Jesus' coming? He thought they surely would not lead him
astray.
God suffered him to come under the power of
Satan, and death to have dominion over him. He hid him in the grave, away from
those who were constantly drawing him from God. Moses erred just as he was about
to enter the promised land. So also, I saw that Wm. Miller erred as he was soon
to enter the heavenly Canaan, in suffering his influence to go against the
truth. Others led him to this. Others must account for it. But angels watch the
precious dust of this servant of God, and he will come forth at the sound of the
last trump.
See Exodus 20:1-17, 31:18; 1Thessalonians 4:16;
Revelation 14:9-12.
CHAPTER 29
I saw a company who stood well
guarded and firm, and would give no countenance to those who would unsettle the
established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was
shown three steps -- one, two and three -- the first, second and third angels'
messages. Said the angel, Woe to him who shall move a block, or stir a pin in
these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance.
The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are received. I was
again brought down through these messages, and saw how dearly the people of God
had purchased their experience. It had been obtained through much suffering and
severe conflict. Step by step had God brought them along, until he had placed
them upon a solid, immovable platform. Then I saw individuals as they approached
the platform, before stepping upon it examine the foundation. Some with
rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the
laying of the foundation of the platform. They wished improvements made, and
then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some
stepped off the platform and examined it, then found fault with it, declaring it
to be laid wrong. I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform, and
exhorted others who had stepped off to cease their complaints, for God was the
master builder, and they were fighting against him. They recounted the wonderful
work of God, which had led them to the firm platform, and in union nearly all
raised their eyes to heaven, and with a loud voice glorified God. This affected
some of those who had complained, and left the platform, and again they with
humble look stepped upon it.
I was pointed back to the proclamation of the
first advent of Christ. John was sent in the spirit and power of Elijah to
prepare the way for Jesus' coming. Those who rejected the testimony of John were
not benefited by the teachings of Jesus. Their opposition to the proclamation of
his first advent placed them where they could not readily receive the strongest
evidence of his being the Messiah. Satan led on those who rejected the message
of John to go still further, to reject Jesus and crucify him. In doing this,
they placed themselves where they could not receive the blessing on the day of
Pentecost, which would have taught them the way into the heavenly Sanctuary. The
rending of the vail of the temple showed that the Jewish sacrifices and
ordinances would no longer be received. The great Sacrifice had been offered,
and had been accepted, and the Holy Spirit which descended on the day of
Pentecost carried the minds of the disciples from the earthly Sanctuary to the
heavenly, where Jesus had entered by his own blood, and shed upon his disciples
the benefits of his atonement. The Jews were left in complete deception and
total darkness. They lost all the light they might have had upon the plan of
salvation, and still trusted in their useless sacrifices and offerings. They
could not be benefited by the mediation of Christ in the Holy place. The
heavenly Sanctuary had taken the place of the earthly, yet they had no knowledge
of the way to the heavenly.
Many look with horror at the course the Jews
pursued toward Jesus in rejecting and crucifying him. And as they read the
history of his shameful abuse, they think they love Christ, and would not have
denied him like Peter, or crucified him like the Jews. But God who has witnessed
their professed sympathy for his Son, has proved them, and has brought to the
test that love which they professed for Jesus.
All heaven watched with the deepest interest the
reception of the message. But many who profess to love Jesus, and who shed tears
as they read the story of the cross, instead of receiving the message with
gladness, are stirred with anger, and deride the good news of Jesus' coming, and
declare it to be delusion. They would not fellowship those who loved his
appearing, but hated them, and shut them out of the churches. Those who rejected
the first message could not be benefited by the second, and were not benefited
by the midnight cry, which was to prepare them to enter with Jesus by faith into
the Most Holy place of the heavenly Sanctuary. And by rejecting the two former
messages, they can see no light in the third angel's message, which shows the
way into the Most Holy place. I saw that the nominal churches, as the Jews
crucified Jesus, had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no
knowledge of the move made in heaven, or of the way into the Most Holy, and they
cannot be benefited by the intercession of Jesus there. Like the Jews, who
offered their useless sacrifices, they offer up their useless prayers to the
apartment which Jesus has left, and Satan, pleased with the deception of the
professed followers of Christ, fastens them in his snare, and assumes a
religious character, and leads the minds of these professed Christians to
himself, and works with his power, his signs and lying wonders. Some he deceives
in one way and some in another. He has different delusions prepared to affect
different minds. Some look with horror upon one deception, while they readily
receive another. Satan deceives some with Spiritualism. He also comes as an
angel of light, and spreads his influence over the land. I saw false
reformations everywhere. The churches were elated, and considered that God was
marvelously working for them, when it was another spirit. It will die away and
leave the world and the church in a worse condition than before.
I saw that God had honest children among the
nominal Adventists, and the fallen churches, and ministers and people will yet
be called out from these churches, before the plagues shall be poured out, and
they will gladly embrace the truth. Satan knows this, and before the loud cry of
the third angel, raises an excitement in these religious bodies, that those who
have rejected the truth may think God is with them. He hopes to deceive the
honest, and lead them to think that God is still working for the churches. But
the light will shine, and every one of the honest ones will leave the fallen
churches, and take their stand with the remnant.
See Revelation 22:16-21.
CONTINUE
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