The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

II. Snow’s Evidence From Types Becomes Deciding Factor

Snow brought out four points: (1) Their correction of a previously recognized error in calculation had brought about the shift from “1843” to “1844”; (2) the 70 weeks of years both began and ended in the autumn; (3) the Mosaic tabernacle types indicate that the second advent will occur in the autumn, not in the spring, but on the Day of Atonement, or tenth day of the seventh month, just as the slaying of the Passover Lamb pointed to Christ’s death on the fourteenth day of the first month; and (4) as the Passover crucifixion, the wave-sheaf resurrection, and the allotted time for Pentecost all came on the exact days prophesied, so, Snow continued, he believed the antitypical Day of Atonement will come on the exact day specified. Then our great High Priest, Christ Jesus, will come out of the heavenly holy of holies, where He has been ministering, to bless His waiting people. That will also be the second advent. “Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28.) The conclusive logic of the presentation made a profound impression, and practically all on the encampment accepted it. ¹⁰ PFF4 813.4

The next day his presentation was repeated by request, with greater clarity and detail. For example: Since Christ was crucified in the spring of A.D. 31, in the “midst” of the prophetic “week” of seven years, three and one-half years from the spring of 31 leads unquestionably to the autumn of 34. Therefore the 1810 remaining years of the 2300, calculated from the autumn of 34, must lead to the autumn of 1844. And in this year the specific tenth day of the seventh month coincides, according to the Karaite Jewish method of calendation, with October 22 of the Gregorian calendar. (See Exhibits D and E, pages 790, 792.) PFF4 814.1

Under this compelling evidence any tendency toward fanaticism on the part of a few vanished like the dew before the sun. Fears were forgotten, and it was generally felt that the resultant movement bore all the wholesome fruits of the Spirit. The leaders at this camp had feared that division might come in over such points as “conditional immortality,” which Storrs had introduced and which leaders like Miller, Litch, Hale, Bliss, and Himes could not see. Others were concerned over the Scriptural sanctification emphasis that had been urged by Fitch. Some feared diversion from the simple advent expectancy by emphasis on a day. But such difficulties did not materialize. PFF4 814.2