The Second Advent Manual

CONCLUSION

We have thus considered the principal objections and difficulties which have been presented against calculating the termination of the prophetic periods, especially that view of them which supposes that they bring us to the end in 1843. TSAM 30.1

There are other objections which were not. deemed worthy of a detailed examination here,—their fallacy having been so often shown, or their weakness being so very palpable, that nothing but the most obsequious bigotry, or the most unpardonable ignorance, could ever think of them. Of the former, “No man knoweth the day or the hour,” is a specimen,—of the latter, “The doctrine is not according to the standard writers of our church,” and Mr. Miller is not a learned man,” are examples. We do not think the Saviour meant to say, when he spoke of “the day and the hour,” “that we can know nothing about the time;” (Dimmick;) that would make him contradict himself, for he had just told how we might know when his coming was near, even at the door. (Matthew 24:32, 33.) Nor is it even probable that he meant to say that “man” should never know the day or the hour of his coming in the most literal sense, for that would suppose that he himself could never know the day or the hour. The text applies to “the Son” as well as to “man” and “the angels of heaven.” Mark 13:32. TSAM 30.2

The doctrine may not be according to the “standard writers” of any sect, and yet it may be true. Mr. Miller may not be a learned man, in the estimation of men, and yet his calculations may be correct. These objections cannot prove any doctrine true or false-no man who is seeking for truth at the only source of truth, the word of God, would allow them the weight of a feather. If Mr. Miller’s views are the truth, they are worthy of the ablest advocacy of the most learned and able Christian, and it is high time they were received among the “standard writings” of the several branches of the church; if they are not true, no Christian is at liberty to treat them or their disciples in any other than in a Christian manner. TSAM 30.3

Finally, there are several fundamental positions of the doctrine which remain firm and immovable:— TSAM 31.1

1. God meant what he said when he dictated the prophecies. TSAM 31.2

2. Whatever the prophecies speak is “a sure word.” TSAM 31.3

3. According to the principles of this theory the prophecies have been so far fulfilled. TSAM 31.4

4. If we are wrong, those who oppose our views are also wrong. They cannot be right. TSAM 31.5

5. If this view of the prophecies does not bring us to their grand development, we do not know what to make of them. TSAM 31.6

6. We must therefore lay hold of it as the truth till God shall settle the question, and trust in him for the result. TSAM 31.7

Remark. To those who may receive this article on the objections against calculating the prophetic times, we would remark, that the particular illustration of, and argument upon, those prophecies named in the diagram of symbolic times, may be found in the other articles of the series of which this is only one. They may also be found in nearly all our more extended second advent publications. The extract from Ferguson, referred to in the Chronology, may be found in the “Bible Student’s Manual,” “Miller’s Life and Views,” etc. etc. TSAM 31.8