The Second Advent Manual

“MILLER’S RULE.”

Again it is charged upon Mr. Miller as the very climax of “absurdity” and “ignorance,” that he reckons the prophetic periods by supposing them to express in days the number of years intended. And to make the alleged absurdity most palpable, we have been told by those who prefer the charge, that “Miller’s rule of a day for a year would leave Nebuchadnezzar at grass at the present time and 130 years to remain. And apply it to the 70 years captivity of the Jews at Babylon, they have at present more time to fulfil than has yet clapsed;” and “that the end of this world, on his own terms, cannot come yet for thousands of years!” It is no new thing for those who are base enough to attempt to make fools of their neighbors, sometimes to make fools of themselves. TSAM 16.3

“These calculations” which are ignorantly or designedly ascribed to Mr. Miller, or are said to be “according to his rule,” are no more “according to his rule” than the calculations in “Bowditch’s Practical Navigator.” TSAM 17.1

The rule of Mr. Miller in the case is precisely that of every intelligent writer upon the interpretation of the word of God, including some of his most noted and influential opposers. We will insert the rules given by Horne, a standard author in biblical interpretation, that the reader may compare them with the rules of Mr. Miller. TSAM 17.2

“The received signification of a word is to be retained, unless weighty and necessary reasons require that it should be abandoned or neglected.” Horne’s Introduction, vol. ii. p. 504. “Where the literal meaning of words is contrary either to common sense, to the context, to parallel passages, or to the scope of passage, it must be given up.” Ib. p. 583. And again in giving the meaning of the word day, in his “index to the Symbolical Language of the Scripture,” he says, “Day-1. A year in prophetical language. Ezekiel 4:6; Revelation 2:10. 2. An appointed time or season. Isaiah 34:8; 3:4.” Vol. iv. p. 494. TSAM 17.3

The rule of Professor Stuart is similar to the first one given by Horne. Hints, p. 68. TSAM 17.4

We insert Mr. Dowling s view of the rule in question, with the note he has appended, for the of the important testimony it contains in favor of it-a witness who will not be suspected of any partiality in the case. TSAM 17.5

“I believe, as Mr. Miller does, and indeed must protestant commentators, that the 1260 years denote the duration of the dominion of the Papal Antichrist.” TSAM 17.6

“We have every reason to conclude that the time of the continuance of this persecuting power is equally true, viz: a time, times, and half a time, which, we have before seen, is the prophetical designation of 1260 years.” ¹ Dowling’s Reply to Mr. Miller, pp. 26, 27, 42. N. York Edition. TSAM 17.7

We here add the rules of Mr. Miller. TSAM 18.1

“How to know when a word is used figuratively. If it makes good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple laws of nature, then it must be understood literally, if not, figuratively. Revelation 12:1, 2; 17:3-7. TSAM 18.2

Figures sometimes have two or more different significations, as day is used in a figurative sense to represent three different periods of time. TSAM 18.3

1. Indefinite. Ecclesiastes 7:14. TSAM 18.4

2. Definite, a day for a year. Ezekiel 4:6. TSAM 18.5

3. Day for a thousand years. 2 Peter 3:8. TSAM 18.6

If you put on the right construction it will harmonize with the Bible and make good sense, otherwise it will not.” TSAM 18.7

Now all the contempt which is cast upon Mr. Miller, under the pretence that his rule is “absurd,” etc., is cast equally upon the worthiest men who have ever lived, including the prophets and apostles themselves. TSAM 18.8

But those writers who object to Mr. Miller’s rule, give us no other by which these prophecies can be understood, and this might be passed over, if they did not profess to explain them. We might name at least a score of men who have made the promise and the attempt, but have had to confess, often in plain words, that they could not make out an explanation. TSAM 18.9

While the writer was lecturing in New York city, a practicing lawyer there who became somewhat interested in the subject, attended one of the churches in the city, in which a notice had been given out of an evening lecture against Mr. Miller’s theory. The house was crowded, and the minister for the occasion read an article of about half an hour’s length, which was of the usual character. The next time I fell in with my friend, I inquired about the lecture against us. “O,” said he, “he used up Mr. Miller at once.” Ah, indeed, how did he do that? “Why, he proved to us that the Bible was not true.” Well, I replied, if he has done that, we are used up. It is a gone case. If the Bible is not true, Millerism is dead, (or to that effect.) Then, explaining himself, he said, that according to what the preacher called the fulfilment of the prophecies considered, though applied in the past, they had never been fulfilled and of course the Bible could not be true. How many others have placed themselves and the Bible in the same predicament, it would be impossible to tell. TSAM 19.1

Now if the contempt shown to the above old and venerable writers on the prophecies were not enough to fix upon these men the brand of theological infamy, their treatment of the word of God will do it. It is virtually saying, His word is not exactly true. A higher authority has said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35. TSAM 19.2

But these writers are forced to take this position or yield in silence to Mr. Miller. It is the best they can do, if they do any thing against his views, or it remains yet to be done. TSAM 19.3

Mr. Miller only advances upon the track of time as it has been extended since the days of these worthy laborers in the interpretation of the prophecies, referred to above, and, guided by the same principles, he finds them confirmed, as the prophecies have been filled up by the events of history. The position taken by his opponents may be considered as one of the most striking and clearly marked “signs of the times.” TSAM 19.4