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。
(375)
Chapter21
AWarningRejectedInpreachingthedoctrineofthesecondadvent，WilliamMillerandhisassociateshadlaboredwiththesolepurposeofarousingmentoapreparationforthejudgment。TheyhadsoughttoawakenprofessorsofreligiontothetruehopeofthechurchandtotheirneedofadeeperChristianexperience，andtheylaboredalsotoawakentheunconvertedtothedutyofimmediaterepentanceandconversiontoGod。\"Theymadenoattempttoconvertmentoasectorpartyinreligion。Hencetheylaboredamongallpartiesandsects，withoutinterferingwiththeirorganizationordiscipline。\"
\"Inallmylabors，\"saidMiller，\"Ineverhadthedesireorthoughttoestablishanyseparateinterestfromthatofexistingdenominations，ortobenefitoneattheexpenseofanother。Ithoughttobenefitall。SupposingthatallChristianswouldrejoiceintheprospectofChrist’scoming，andthatthosewhocouldnotseeasIdidwouldnotloveanythelessthosewhoshouldembracethisdoctrine，Ididnotconceivetherewouldeverbeanynecessityforseparatemeetings。MywholeobjectwasadesiretoconvertsoulstoGod，tonotifytheworldofacomingjudgment，andtoinducemyfellowmentomakethatpreparationofheartwhichwillenablethemtomeettheirGodinpeace。Thegreatmajorityofthosewhowereconvertedundermylaborsunitedwiththevariousexistingchurches。\"——Bliss，page328。
376
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。
A
378
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。
384
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。\"
388
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。
392
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。
398
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。
