The Second Advent Manual

UNFAIR COMPARISONS

It has been attempted more than once to add to the unpopularity of Mr. Miller’s theory, by invidiously comparing him with the “religious theorists” who have assumed to be “inspired to explain the prophecies,” or have read the world’s destiny in the stars, or have had the dreadful message communicated to them in dreams and revelations of their own, or have explained the prophetic periods sometimes by solar years, sometimes by lunar years, and sometimes by the time taken for one of the distant planets to pass through its orbit, and so on. TSAM 29.1

But Mr. Miller makes no “pretensions of this sort.” He claims the gift of inspiration only for the men who wrote the Bible. He has nothing to do with the stars or planets, but for the purposes for which God has expressly made them. He has but one kind of year for chronology or history, and no other but the sanctioned principles in interpreting the prophetic periods which are not understood literally, He has nothing to do with dreams or visions, except those of holy men of old who wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. His views are based upon the word of God, and the undeniable facts of history; and however crudely they may have been expressed to the classic ear, there is no ambiguity about them. TSAM 29.2

If any mistake can be pointed out in the dates of these events, or any impropriety in the application of the prophecies to them, or if a more scriptural and fair explanation can be given us, let it be done. The man who does it shall have our hearty thanks for ourselves, and our hearty cooperation to confer the benefit upon others. God’s word will be verified, and it is to be understood by those for whom it is intended, before the sublime reality shall come to pass. But while we are fully aware that the belief of our views will not hasten the end, we are also sensible that the disbelief of the world will not defer it. It will be as easy for the world to be deceived now as it has ever been; as easy for sinners to sleep, and for professors to dream under the lullaby of their slumbering watchmen, and for all to be taken in the snare, as at any time; but ready or not ready-awake or asleep, what God hath written he will surely perform. TSAM 29.3