The Second Advent Manual

THE END HID FROM US

Again we have been told, that the time of this event (the end of all things) “is not suitable to be revealed,” “and it is wisely hid from us.” If by the “time” here, “the day and the hour” be meant, the objection can have no fair application to Mr. Miller’s calculations; but if it be meant that every thing “about the time” “is wisely hid from us,” and “is not suitable to be revealed,” the objection deserves a passing notice; though to point out its unscriptural character will be sufficient. Has God commissioned his angels to our earth, to tell the prophets, to whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister, how long it was to these things, and that the wise should understand-have the apostles directed us to these same prophets, telling us that we do well to take heed unto their word as unto a light that shineth in a dark place-has God connected the setting up of his kingdom, the judgment, and the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven, with the destruction of all earthly kingdoms, telling us which of those earthly kingdoms in the succession should exist at the time-has Christ pointed us to the signs by which we might know when his coming is near, even at the door, and after all is it hid from us? TSAM 27.1

Has God seen it to be “suitable” to give notice of the time of the flood which was to destroy the world, even to a day, (Genesis 7:4,) and of a famine which should affect only a few nations at most-and of the judgment of Egypt, a single nation, for oppressing his people-and of the final dissolution of the ten tribes, and of the captivity of Judah 70 years in Babylon, and of the destruction of Jerusalem, and is it unsuitable for God to make known to the world the time of its final destruction! And who shall dare to say what is suitable for God to do in such a case! Away with such affected regard for the character of God, which, assuming to guard the portals of the inner sanctuary, dares to dictate to the Sovereign who sits upon its throne; and while it ignorantly claims to be the guardian of his wisdom, impeaches every one of his perfections, as manifested in the express design of his most wonderful and important transactions. TSAM 28.1

How de ye doctors “make void the word of God through your traditions!” Do ye know the scriptures, or the power of God! TSAM 28.2

We defy any man to find in Mr. Miller’s works, or even in what is ascribed to him by the ten thousand falsehoods in circulation, any thing more strongly characterized by ignorance, presumption and impiety than this. TSAM 28.3