Copyright
1994 Ellen G. White Estate, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume Four
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The First Angel's Message
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Chapter XIV <EB.
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The First Angel's Message. <EB
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The
prophecy of the first angel's message, brought to view in Revelation 14,
found its fulfillment in the Advent movement of 1840-1844. In both Europe
and America, men of faith and prayer were deeply moved as their attention
was called to the prophecies, and, tracing down the inspired record, they
saw convincing evidence that the end of all things was at hand. The Spirit
of God urged his servants, to give the warning. Far and wide spread the
message of the everlasting gospel, "Fear God, and give glory to him; for
the hour of his Judgment is come."[1 REV. 14:7.]
Wherever
missionaries had penetrated, were sent the glad tidings of Christ's speedy
return. In different lands were found isolated bodies of Christians, who,
solely by the study of the Scriptures, had arrived at the belief that the
Saviour's advent was near. In some portions of Europe, where the laws were
so oppressive as to forbid the preaching of the Advent doctrine, little
children were impelled to declare it, and many listened to the solemn warning.
To
Wm. Miller and his co-laborers it was given to preach the message in America,
and the light kindled by their labors shone out to distant lands. The
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testimony
of the Scriptures pointing to the coming of Christ in 1843, awakened wide-spread
interest. Many were convinced that the arguments from the prophetic periods
were correct, and, sacrificing their pride of opinion, they joyfully received
the truth. Some ministers laid aside their sectarian views and feelings,
left their salaries and their churches, and united in proclaiming the coming
of Jesus. There were but few ministers, however, who would accept this
message; therefore it was largely committed to humble laymen. Farmers left
their fields, mechanics their tools, traders their merchandise, professional
men their positions; and yet the number of workers was small in comparison
with the work to be accomplished. The condition of an ungodly church and
a world lying in wickedness burdened the souls of the true watchmen, and
they willingly endured toil, privation, and suffering that they might call
men to repentance unto salvation. Though opposed by Satan, the work went
steadily forward, and the Advent truth was accepted by many thousands.
Everywhere
was heard the searching testimony warning sinners, both worldlings and
church-members, to flee from the wrath to come. Like John the Baptist,
the forerunner of Christ, the preachers laid the ax at the root of the
tree, and urged all to bring forth fruit meet for repentance. Their stirring
appeals were in marked contrast to the assurances of peace and safety that
were heard from popular pulpits; and wherever the message was given, it
moved the people. The simple, direct testimony of the Scriptures, set home
by the power of the Holy Spirit, brought a weight of conviction which few
were able
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wholly
to resist. Professors of religion were roused from their false security.
They saw their backslidings, their worldliness and unbelief, their pride
and selfishness. Many sought the Lord with repentance and humiliation.
The affections that had so long clung to earthly things they now fixed
upon Heaven. The Spirit of God rested upon them, and with hearts softened
and subdued they joined to sound the cry, "Fear God, and give glory to
him; for the hour of his Judgment is come."
Sinners
inquired with weeping, "What must I do to be saved?" Those whose lives
had been marked with dishonesty were anxious to make restitution. All who
found peace in Christ longed to see others share the blessing. The hearts
of parents were turned to their children, and the hearts of children to
their parents. The barriers of pride and reserve were swept away. Heartfelt
confessions were made, and the members of the household labored for the
salvation of those who were nearest and dearest. Often was heard the sound
of earnest intercession. Everywhere were souls in deep anguish, pleading
with God. Many wrestled all night in prayer for the assurance that their
own sins were pardoned, or for the conversion of their relatives or neighbors.
That earnest, determined faith gained its object. Had the people of God
continued to be thus importunate in prayer, pressing their petitions at
the mercy-seat, they would be in possession of a far richer experience
than they now have. There is too little prayer, too little real conviction
of sin; and the lack of living faith leaves many destitute of the grace
so richly provided by our gracious Redeemer.
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All
classes flocked to the Adventist meetings. Rich and poor, high and low,
were, from various causes, anxious to hear for themselves the doctrine
of the second advent. The Lord held the spirit of opposition in check while
his servants explained the reasons of their faith. Sometimes the instrument
was feeble; but the Spirit of God gave power to his truth. The presence
of holy angels was felt in these assemblies, and many were daily added
to the believers. As the evidences of Christ's soon coming were repeated,
vast crowds listened in breathless silence to the solemn words. Heaven
and earth seemed to approach each other. The power of God would be felt
upon old and young and middle-aged. Men sought their homes with praises
upon their lips, and the glad sound rang out upon the still night air.
None who attended those meetings can ever forget those scenes of deepest
interest.
The
proclamation of a definite time for Christ's coming called forth great
opposition from many of all classes, from the minister in the pulpit down
to the most reckless, Heaven-daring sinner. "No man knoweth the day nor
the hour!"[1 SEE APPENDIX, NOTE 2.] was heard alike from the hypocritical
minister and the bold scoffer. They closed their ears to the clear and
harmonious explanation of the text by those who were pointing to the close
of the prophetic periods and to the signs which Christ himself had foretold
as tokens of his advent. Many who professed to love the Saviour, declared
that they had no opposition to the preaching of his coming; they merely
objected to the definite time. God's all-seeing eye read their hearts.
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They
did not wish to hear of Christ's coming to judge the world in righteousness.
They had been unfaithful servants, their works would not bear the inspection
of the heart-searching God, and they feared to meet their Lord. Like the
Jews at the time of Christ's first advent, they were not prepared to welcome
Jesus. Satan and his angels exulted and flung the taunt in the face of
Christ and holy angels, that his professed people had so little love for
him that they did not desire his appearing.
Unfaithful
watchmen hindered the progress of the work of God. As the people were roused,
and began to inquire the way of salvation, these leaders stepped in between
them and the truth, seeking to quiet their fears by falsely interpreting
the word of God. In this work, Satan and unconsecrated ministers united,
crying, Peace, peace, when God had not spoken peace. Like the Pharisees
in Christ's day, many refused to enter the kingdom of Heaven themselves,
and those who were entering in, they hindered. The blood of these souls
will be required at their hand.
Wherever
the message of truth was proclaimed, the most humble and devoted in the
churches were the first to receive it. Those who studied the Bible for
themselves could not but see the unscriptural character of the popular
views of prophecy, and wherever the people were not deceived by the efforts
of the clergy to misstate and pervert the faith, wherever they would search
the word of God for themselves, the Advent doctrine needed only to be compared
with the Scriptures to establish its divine authority.
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Many
were persecuted by their unbelieving brethren. In order to retain their
position in the church, some consented to be silent in regard to their
hope; but others felt that loyalty to God forbade them thus to hide the
truths which he had committed to their trust. Not a few were cut off from
the fellowship of the church for no other reason than expressing their
belief in the coming of Christ. Very precious to those who bore the trial
of their faith were the words of the prophet, "Your brethren that hated
you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified.
But he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed."[1 ISA. 66:5.]
Angels
of God were watching with the deepest interest the result of the warning.
When the churches as a body rejected the message, angels turned away from
them in sadness. Yet there were in the churches many who had not yet been
tested in regard to the Advent truth. Many were deceived by husbands, wives,
parents, or children, and were made to believe it a sin even to listen
to such heresies as were taught by the Adventists. Angels were bidden to
keep faithful watch over these souls; for another light was yet to shine
upon them from the throne of God.
With
unspeakable desire those who had received the message watched for the coming
of their Saviour. The time when they expected to meet him was at hand.
They approached this hour with a calm solemnity. They rested in sweet communion
with God, an earnest of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter.
None who experienced this
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hope
and trust can forget those precious hours of waiting. Worldly business
was for the most part laid aside for a few weeks. Believers carefully examined
every thought and emotion of their hearts as if upon their death-beds and
in a few hours to close their eyes upon earthly scenes. There was no making
of "ascension robes;"[1 SEE APPENDIX, NOTE 3.] but all felt the need of
internal evidence that they were prepared to meet the Saviour; their white
robes were purity of soul,--characters cleansed from sin by the atoning
blood of Christ.
God
designed to prove his people. His hand covered a mistake in the reckoning
of the prophetic periods.[2 SEE APPENDIX, NOTE 1.] Adventists did not discover
the error, nor was it discovered by the most learned of their opponents.
The latter said, "Your reckoning of the prophetic periods is correct. Some
great event is about to take place; but it is not what Mr. Miller predicts;
it is the conversion of the world, and not the second advent of Christ."
The
time of expectation passed, and Christ did not appear for the deliverance
of his people. Those who with sincere faith and love had looked for their
Saviour, experienced a bitter disappointment. Yet the Lord had accomplished
his purpose: he had tested the hearts of those who professed to be waiting
for his appearing. There were among them many who had been actuated by
no higher motive than fear. Their profession of faith had not affected
their hearts or their lives. When the expected event failed to take place,
these persons declared that they were not disappointed; they had never
believed that Christ
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would
come. They were among the first to ridicule the sorrow of the true believers.
But
Jesus and all the heavenly host looked with love and sympathy upon the
tried and faithful yet disappointed ones. Could the vail separating the
visible from the invisible world have been swept back, angels would have
been seen drawing near to these steadfast souls, and shielding them from
the shafts of Satan.
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