Miller’s Works, vol. 1. Views of the Prophecies and Prophetic Chronology

LETTER III. TO MR. CAMBELL, ON THE LITTLE HORN, THE EVENING AND MORNING VISION, JEWS’ RETURN, AND MILLENNIUM BEFORE THE RESURRECTION

DEAR BRO. HIMES: I perceive in the last number of the “Signs of the Times,” that Bro. Cambell is still harping on his little horn of the third beast, and separating the morning from the evening vision. And, without any proof, he continually asserts the Jews’ return and millennial reign before the resurrection. Do I understand aright? MWV1 232.1

Now, I think Bro. Cambell may be put right, or at least he will help a brother, in charity, out of his “vagaries.” MWV1 232.2

I. As it respects the little horn of Daniel, eighth chapter, he says it is Mahomedism; and yet it belongs to the third or Grecian kingdom, and, of course, is now in existence, and must be until 2300 years are accomplished, which, according to his own showing, will be in A. D. 1843. Then, the fourth, or Roman kingdom, is not yet in being; for the fourth kingdom was to bear rule over, or tread down, the whole earth. Daniel 7:23: “Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” And this little horn is the third kingdom, and is said to wax exceeding great. Daniel 8:9-11. MWV1 232.3

Surely, Bro. Cambell will help Bro. Miller out of this “vagary.” Rollin tells us “that the four kingdoms of the Grecian monarchy became Roman provinces thirty years before Christ,” which was six hundred and fifty before Mahomet. Daniel tells us that this little horn would stand up in the latter time of these four kingdoms. Mr. Cambell makes him stand up six hundred and fifty years after the fourth kingdom had destroyed the whole earth. Daniel 8:23-25: “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.” Surely this is a paradox; or I am dreaming. MWV1 232.4

II. Concerning the evening and morning vision, I will say, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.” Daniel 8:26, 27: “And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told, is true; wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.” Here Daniel plainly unites the visions of the evening and morning, as Mr. Cambell calls them, and Daniel unites them in one, calling it “the vision;” and plainly says “it shall be for many days.” What shall be for many days? The vision of the evening and morning. How many days? I answer, 2300 days. Either both are to be understood as but one vision, seen at different times, or both ending at the same time. If the morning vision is only numbered, why does the prophet unite them and tell us it is for many days? MWV1 233.1

III. As it respects the Jews return, I say there is not a text, promise or prophecy, written or given of God, which was not given before their return from Babylon, and I believe was then literally fulfilled. MWV1 233.2

IV. With reference to the millennial reign before Christ comes, I ask Bro. Cambell to reconcile the following passages with his views, and give me light:- Daniel 7:21, 22: “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom;”-compared with Daniel 7:9, 10, 13: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” Also, Luke 17:26-30. Mark 13:23-29. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18: “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we, which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.” Also, 5:1-4. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-10: “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Revelation 14:14-20. MWV1 234.1

In the mean time, I advise you, my dear reader, not to put off your preparation for eternity; I entreat you, by all that is dear, not to wait; I warn you now to secure your title to heaven, to happiness, and glory. Do not wait until you see the end of our discussion. Perhaps, before we have finished our controversy, the voice from the “great white throne” may pronounce these dreadful words, “IT IS DONE!” There is no harm in being secure. It is safe to be ready. If I thought, that I should be the means of your neglecting this one thing needful, by my writings, I would write no more. Let not curiosity or neglect be the means of your eternal regret and misery. WILLIAM MILLER. New York, May 19, 1840. MWV1 235.1