The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

Vision of the Three Steps

His work continued until the year 1844, near the close of the twenty-three hundred days. Then he was favored with another manifestation of the Holy Spirit,—a third vision, one which he did not understand. In this he was shown the pathway of the people of God through to the heavenly city. He saw a great platform, or step, on which multitudes of people gathered. Occasionally one would drop through this platform out of sight, and of such a one it was said to him, “Apostatized.” Then he saw the people rise to a second step, or platform, and some there also dropped through the platform out of sight. Finally a third platform appeared, which extended to the gates of the holy city. A great company gathered with those who had advanced to this platform. As he expected the Lord Jesus to come in a very short time, he failed to recognize the fact that a third message was to follow the first and second messages of Revelation 14. Consequently the vision was to him unexplainable, and he ceased public speaking. After the close of the prophetic period, in the year 1845, he heard another relate the same vision, with the explanation that “the first and second messages had been given, and that a third was to follow.” Soon after this Mr. Foy sickened and died. GSAM 146.2

With such manifestations of the power of God in connection with the preaching of his coming “at the doors,” and with the rejoicing of thousands who were turning from sin to serve the Lord, and to wait for his coming, the people were doubly assured that this was indeed the Lord’s message to the world. GSAM 147.1

But March 21, 1844, came, and passed, and the Lord did not come. The conviction of the devoted and thoughtful, however, was that they had moved in harmony with the mind of the Lord, and that in due time all would be made plain. GSAM 147.2