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Chapter 50
The First Angel's Message
THE prophecy of the first angel's message, brought to view in Revelation 14, found its
fulfillment in the advent movement of 1840-44. 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." 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 William 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. God sent His angel to move
upon the heart of a farmer who had not believed the Bible, to lead him to search the
prophecies. Angels of God repeatedly visited that chosen one, to guide his mind and open
to his understanding 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 in its beauty and glory. He saw that one portion of Scripture explains another, and
when one passage was closed to his understanding, he found in another part 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 the earth were living in
the closing scenes of this world's history; yet they knew it not. He looked at the
churches, and saw that they were corrupt; they had taken their affections from Jesus and
placed them on the world; they were seeking for worldly honor, instead of that honor which
cometh from above; grasping for worldly riches, instead of laying up their treasure in
heaven. He could see hypocrisy, darkness, and death everywhere. His spirit was stirred
within him. God called him to leave his farm, as He called Elisha to leave his oxen and
the field of his labor to follow Elijah.
With trembling, William Miller began to unfold to the people the mysteries of the kingdom
of God, carrying his hearers down through the prophecies to the second advent of Christ.
The testimony of the Scriptures pointing to the coming of Christ in 1843 awakened
widespread 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.
A Great Religious Revival
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 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." Rev. 14:7.
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.
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.
Opposition
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!" 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. 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 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.
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." 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.
Preparing to Meet the Lord
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 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 deathbeds and in a few hours to close their eyes upon earthly
scenes. There was no making of "ascension robes," 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. 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 had 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
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 veil 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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