The Present Truth, vol. 1
May 1850
THE PRESENT TRUTH. VOL. I.-OSWEGO, N. Y.-NO. 10
James White
PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY
VOL. I.-OSWEGO, N. Y., MAY, 1850.-NO. 10.
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”-Psalm 25:14.
BROTHER MILLER’S DREAM
The following dream was published in the Advent Herald, more than two years since. I then saw that it clearly marked out our past second advent experience, and that God gave the dream for the benefit of the scattered flock. PTJW May 1850, page 73.1
Among the signs of the near approach of the great and the terrible day of the Lord, God has placed dreams. See Joel 2:28-31; Acts 2:17-20. Dreams may come in three ways; first, “through the multitude of business.” See Ecclesiastes 5:3. Second, those who are under the foul spirit and deception of Satan, may have dreams through his influence. See Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Jeremiah 23:25-28; 27:9; 29:8; Zechariah 10:2; Jude 8. And third, God has always taught, and still teaches his people more or less by dreams, which come through the agency of angels and the Holy Spirit. Those who stand in the clear light of truth will know when God gives them a dream; and such will not be deceived and led astray by false dreams. PTJW May 1850, page 73.2
“And he said, Hear now my words; if there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6. Said Jacob, “The angel of the Lord spake unto me in a dream.” Genesis 31:2. “And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night.” Genesis 31:24. Read the dreams of Joseph, [Genesis 37:5-9,] and then the interesting story of their fulfillment in Egypt. “In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night.”-1 Kings 3:5. The great important image of the second chapter of Daniel was given in a dream, also the four beasts, etc. of the seventh chapter. When Herod sought to destroy the infant Saviour Joseph was warned in a dream to flee into Egypt. Matthew 2:13. PTJW May 1850, page 73.3
“And it shall come to pass in the LAST DAYS, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” Acts 2:17. PTJW May 1850, page 73.4
The gift of prophecy, by dreams and visions, is here the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and in the last days is to be manifested sufficiently to constitute a sign. It is one of the gifts of the gospel church. PTJW May 1850, page 73.5
“And he gave some apostles; and some PROPHETS; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11, 12. PTJW May 1850, page 73.6
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily PROPHETS, etc. 1 Corinthians 7:28. “Despise not PROPHESYINGS.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20. See also Acts 13:1; 21:9; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 24, 39. Prophets or prophesyings are for the edification of the church of Christ; there is no evidence that can be produced from the word of God, that they were to cease before evangelists, pastors and teachers were to cease. But says the objector, “There has been so many false visions and dreams that I can not have confidence in anything of the kind.” It is true that Satan has his counterfeit. He always had false prophets, and certainly we may expect them now in this his last hour of deception and triumph. Those who reject such special revelations because the counterfeit exists, may with equal propriety go a little farther and deny that God ever revealed himself to man in a dream or a vision, for the counterfeit always existed. PTJW May 1850, page 73.7
Dreams and visions are the medium through which God has revealed himself to man. Through this medium he spake to the prophets; he has placed the gift of prophecy among the gifts of the gospel church, and has classed dreams and visions with the other signs of the “LAST DAYS.” Amen. PTJW May 1850, page 73.8
My object in the above remarks has been to remove objections in a scriptural manner, and prepare the mind of the reader for the following PTJW May 1850, page 73.9
DREAM
I dreamed that God, by an unseen hand, sent me a curiously wrought casket, 1 about ten inches long by six square, made of ebony and pearls curiously inlaid. To the casket there was a key 2 attached. I immediately took the key and opened the casket, when, to my wonder and surprise, I found it filled with all sorts and sizes of jewels, 3 diamonds, precious stones, and gold and silver coin of every dimension and value, beautifully arranged in their several places in the casket; and thus arranged they reflected a light and glory equalled only by the sun. I thought it was my duty not to enjoy this wonderful sight alone, although my heart was overjoyed at the brilliancy, beauty and value of its contents. I therefore placed it on a centre-table in my room, and gave out word that all who had a desire might come and see the most glorious and brilliant sight ever seen by man in this life. The people began to come in, at first few in number, but increasing to a crowd. 4 When they first looked into the casket they would wonder, and shout for joy. But when the spectators increased, every one would begin to trouble the jewels, taking them out of the casket and scattering 5 them on the table. At this time I began to think the owner would require the casket and jewels again at my hand; and if I suffered them to be scattered, I could never place them in their places in the casket again as before: and I felt I should never be able to meet the accountability, for it would be immense. I then began to plead with the people not to handle them, nor take them out of the casket; 7 but the more I plead, the more they scattered; and now they seemed to scatter them all over the room, on the floor, and on every piece of furniture in the room. I now saw that among the genuine jewels and coin they had scattered an innumerable quantity of spurious jewels and counterfeit coin. I was highly incensed at their base conduct and ingratitude, and reproved and reproached them for it; but the more I reproached, the more they scattered the spurious jewels and false coin among the genuine. PTJW May 1850, page 73.10
I then became vexed in my very soul, and began to use physical force to push them out of the room; but while I was pushing out one, three more would enter, and bring in dirt, and shavings, and sand, and all manner of rubbish, 8 until they covered every one of the true jewels, diamonds and coins-until they were all excluded from sight. They also tore in pieces my casket, 9 and scattered it among the rubbish. I thought no man regarded my sorrow or my anger. I became wholly discouraged and disheartened, and sat down and wept. While I was thus weeping and mourning for my great loss and accountability, I remembered God, and earnestly prayed that he would send me help. Immediately the door opened, and a man entered the room, when the people left it; and he, having a dirt-brush 10 in his hand, opened the windows, and began to brush the dust and rubbish from the room. I cried to him to forbear, for there were some precious jewels scattered among the rubbish. He told me to “fear not,” for he would “take care of them.” Then, while he brushed, the dust and rubbish, false jewels and counterfeit coin, all rose and went out of the windows like a cloud, and the wind carried them away. In the bustle I closed my eyes 12 for a moment; when I opened them, the rubbish was all gone. The precious jewels, the diamonds, gold and silver coins lay scattered in profusion over all the room. He then placed on the table a casket much larger and more beautiful than the former, and gathered up the jewels, the diamonds, the coins, by the handfuls, and cast them into the casket, till not one was left, although some of the diamonds were not bigger than the point of a pin. He then called upon me, to “come and see.” I looked into the casket, but my eyes were dazzled with the sight. They shone with ten times their former glory. I thought they had been scoured in the sand by the feet of those wicked persons who had scattered them, and trod them in the dust. I saw they were arranged in beautiful order in the casket, every one in its place, without any visible pains of the man who cast them in.-I shouted with very joy-and that shout awakened me. PTJW May 1850, page 74.1
The effect of this on my mind has been extremely consoling and happy. WM. MILLER, Low Hampton, N. Y. Dec. 3, 1847. PTJW May 1850, page 75.1
THE SANCTUARY, 2300 DAYS, AND THE SHUT DOOR
“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel 8:13, 14. PTJW May 1850, page 75.2
I. THE SANCTUARY
The definition of the word Sanctuary is “a sacred place,” “a dwelling place of the Most High.” It cannot be applied to the earth, or any part of it, for it cannot be shown that the earth, or any part of the earth, is “a sacred place,” therefore the Sanctuary is not the earth, neither is it the land of Canaan. The word Sanctuary occurs more than one hundred times in the Bible, and in most cases it applies to the tabernacle and temple of the Jews, or first covenant, sometimes to a part, and sometimes to the whole. It is mentioned four times in the New Testament, all in the epistle to the Hebrews. In chapter 9:1, 2; 13:11, it refers to the Sanctuary of the first covenant, and in chapter 8:2, it applies to the Sanctuary of the second covenant which the “Lord pitched” in heaven. In two texts [Exodus 15:17, Psalm 78:54] it is supposed by some that the word Sanctuary applies to the land of Canaan; but by a close examination of these texts we may see that they alone, condemn such a supposition. PTJW May 1850, page 75.3
“Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in; in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.” Exodus 15:17. This is a part of the prophetic song of Moses, sung upon the banks of the Red Sea, in praise to God for their deliverance, and in prospect of their settlement in Canaan. Its fulfillment is declared in Psalm 78:54. “And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, even to this mountain, which his right hand had purchased.” Cruden says—“By Sanctuary here [Exodus 15:17,] may be understood the temple on Mount Moriah, which God would certainly cause to be built and established.” This view is shown to be correct from the context of Psalm 78:54. After declaring in verse 54 that God brought his people to the border of his Sanctuary, the Psalmist in verses 68, 69, tells us what his Sanctuary was which his hands established. “But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. And he BUILT HIS SANCTUARY LIKE HIGH PLACES.” The “border” or “place” of the Sanctuary where God planted his people was one thing, and the Sanctuary itself was entirely another thing. The people were planted, and dwelt in the former, but God dwelt in the latter, among his people. Then as these two texts do not prove that the earth, or the land of Canaan is the Sanctuary, but to the contrary, certainly such a view is unscriptural, and should be abandoned at once. PTJW May 1850, page 76.1
“The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel.” “Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” That Sanctuary was “a sacred place.” There the Lord placed his name, and manifested his glory during the typical dispensation of the law of Moses. But when Christ came and was crucified, that dispensation closed, and all the services of the worldly sanctuary were nailed to the cross, and the Sanctuary was no longer “a sacred place.” Since that time the Sanctuary has been in heaven. PTJW May 1850, page 76.2
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum; we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the SANCTUARY, and of the TRUE TABERNACLE, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Hebrews 8:1, 2. PTJW May 1850, page 76.3
This one text is sufficient to show, that when Christ ascended to heaven he entered the “true Tabernacle” or “Sanctuary,” and this Sanctuary which the “Lord pitched” in heaven is the Sanctuary that was to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days. PTJW May 1850, page 76.4
The Divine comment upon the law of Moses, contained in the epistle to the Hebrews clearly shows that the worldly Sanctuary, its furniture and services, were a “shadow,” “patterns,” “figures” of the Heavenly Sanctuary, etc. etc. PTJW May 1850, page 76.5
“Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. PTJW May 1850, page 76.6
“For there was a tabernacle made; the first wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shew-bread: which is called the sanctuary. PTJW May 1850, page 76.7
“And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called the holiest of all; PTJW May 1850, page 76.8
“Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; PTJW May 1850, page 76.9
“And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. PTJW May 1850, page 76.10
“Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God: PTJW May 1850, page 76.11
“But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people.” Hebrews 9:1-7. PTJW May 1850, page 76.12
“It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. PTJW May 1850, page 76.13
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Hebrews 9:23, 24. PTJW May 1850, page 76.14
A shadow must resemble its body, and a figure or pattern must be in fashion at least, like the thing itself, therefore the Heavenly Sanctuary must be a literal Temple containing two Holies, the Holy Place, represented by the tabernacle of the congregation, and the Most Holy Place represented by the “tabernacle of the testimony.” Macknight’s translation makes this point still clearer. PTJW May 1850, page 76.15
“There was a necessity, therefore, that the representations indeed of the HOLY PLACES IN THE HEAVENS, should be CLEANSED by these sacrifices; but the HEAVENLY HOLY PLACES THEMSELVES, by sacrifices better than these. Therefore Christ hath not entered into the holy places made with hands, the IMAGES of the TRUE HOLY PLACES, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God, on our account.” Hebrews 9:23, 24. PTJW May 1850, page 76.16
“The Holy Ghost signifying this, that the way of the HOLY PLACES was not yet laid open while the first tabernacle still standeth.” Verse 8. PTJW May 1850, page 76.17
“Hath entered once into the HOLY PLACES, not indeed by the blood of goats and of calves, but BY HIS OWN BLOOD.” Verse 12. PTJW May 1850, page 76.18
No point of Bible truth is more clearly revealed than that there is a literal Temple in heaven, containing two Holies, as distinct as the two Holies of the worldly Sanctuary. PTJW May 1850, page 76.19
In the worldly Sanctuary the priests ministered 364 days of the year in the Holy Place, and then that door was shut, [see Leviticus 16:17,] and the high priest alone, on the tenth day of the seventh month, entered the Most Holy Place, and on that day cleansed the Sanctuary. This was “a shadow,” “patterns,” “figures” of the heavenly, therefore Christ ministered in the Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary until the end of the 2300 days, then he rose up and shut that door, and entered the Most Holy Place to receive the kingdom, and to cleanse the Sanctuary. I will here notice a few objections to this view. PTJW May 1850, page 76.20
1. The question is sometimes sneeringly asked-“Can there be anything in heaven unclean, and that needs cleansing”? We will let the Divine testimony settle this question. “It was therefore necessary that the patterns of THINGS IN HEAVEN should be purified [cleansed, Macknight] with these; [blood of beasts;] but the HEAVENLY THINGS THEMSELVES, [Heavenly Sanctuary] with better sacrifices [blood of Christ] than these.” Hebrews 9:23. No one will contend that the worldly Sanctuary was of itself impure, yet it was cleansed once a year, “because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel.” On the day of atonement the sins of Israel were borne away from the Sanctuary on the head of the scape-goat, then it was cleansed. This will give us the correct view of the cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary, at the end of the 2300 days. PTJW May 1850, page 77.1
While conversing with an advent preacher on this subject not long since, he stated that the Sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 days could not be in heaven, for this reason, that there was nothing in heaven that was unclean. I then read to him Hebrews 9:23, 24, and he replied-“I admit that there are things in heaven to be cleansed; but it is not the Sanctuary”!! A very poor get off indeed, for a professed teacher in Israel. PTJW May 1850, page 77.2
2. It is thought by some that there is no literal Temple or Sanctuary in heaven, because St. John says—“And I saw no temple therein, etc.” Revelation 21:22. Read the whole chapter and you will see that John saw the New Jerusalem, not as it is now, but as it will be when it comes down from God out of heaven, at the close of the 1000 years. Then there will be no Temple in the Holy City. The Sanctuary of Old Jerusalem was made purposely for the old covenant worship, and when that typical system of religion closed, God had no more use for that Temple. The New Jerusalem Temple, “the Lord pitched” in heaven, purposely for the new covenant worship, and when the ministry of Christ is finished, and the saints are all redeemed, there will be no more use for the Heavenly Sanctuary than there was for the earthly after the crucifixion. PTJW May 1850, page 77.3
“And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament.” Revelation 11:19. See also Revelation 15:5, 6. Here is a positive declaration from the beloved John that he saw a Temple in heaven, and that the ark of the ten commandments was seen in it. This testimony should for ever settle it, that there is a literal Temple containing two Holies in the City of the living God. PTJW May 1850, page 77.4
Now let me ask the candid reader-Does the testimony of John in chap 21:22, contradict his testimony in chap 11:19 15:6, 7? This you will not contend. Then the only way you can harmonize these texts is to credit the testimony of Paul and John where they testify that the “Sanctuary,” the true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man, [Hebrews 8:1, 2,] the Temple of God, Revelation 11:19] the “greater and more perfect Tabernacle,” [Hebrews 9:11,] is in the Holy City. But when the whole Israel of God are redeemed by the blood of Christ the Sanctuary will be removed from the City, and it will be as John saw it coming down from heaven. “And I saw no temple therein.” Why did John say that he saw no Temple in the City then if there never had been a Temple there? This is certainly strong evidence that he had previously seen the Temple in the Holy City. PTJW May 1850, page 77.5
3. Some take the ground that Jesus entered the Most Holy Place when he ascended to heaven, because he is represented to be at God’s right hand. Now I think that no one will contend that Jesus has been perfectly stationary, at the Father’s right hand literally, for more than 1800 years. In fact many who urge this objection, do not themselves believe that the Father has hands; but deny his personality. PTJW May 1850, page 77.6
In the typical Sanctuary, God manifested his glory in the Holy, as well as in the Most Holy. So in the Heavenly Sanctuary, Jesus can “appear in the presence of God for us” in the Holy Place, as well as in the Most Holy. God’s throne is above the cherubims, and his glory can be seen from either side of the second vail. PTJW May 1850, page 77.7
The candid Bible reader will see that such expressions of Scripture, as “right hand of the throne,” “right hand of God,” “right hand of power,” mean that Christ, who was humbled to the cross, rose from the dead in triumph, and ascended in glory, and is the next in power to the Eternal God. PTJW May 1850, page 77.8
II. THE 2300 DAYS
“Unto two thousand and three hundred days; [years] then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Not a word is said about the “host” [God’s true worshippers] being delivered at the end of the 2300 days; only that the Sanctuary should then be cleansed. To Daniel is given two measuring rods, one 2300 years long, the other, a short rod, which is the time of cleansing the Sanctuary. The short rod is the waiting time, since the termination of the 2300 days, in which time the saints must patiently wait the return of their “Lord from the wedding.” Paul calls this short rod “a little while,” during which we “have need of patience.” PTJW May 1850, page 77.9
Advent believers agree that the seventy weeks [490 years] were cut off from the 2300, therefore, if we can find out where the seventy weeks begin, we can show where the 2300 days terminate. PTJW May 1850, page 77.10
Here I will give a very important extract from a “Lecture on Chronology,” “Advent Herald” for March 2, 1850. PTJW May 1850, page 78.1
“The Bible gives the data for a complete system of chronology, extending from the creation to the birth of CYRUS, a clearly ascertained date. From this period downwards we have the undisputed Canon of PTOLEMY and the undoubted era of NABONASSAR, extending below our vulgar era. At the point where inspired chronology leaves us, this canon of undoubted accuracy commences. And thus the whole arch is spanned. It is by the Canon of PTOLEMY that the great prophetical period of seventy weeks is fixed. This Canon places the seventh year of ARTAXERXES in the year B. C. 457; and the accuracy of the Canon is demonstrated by the concurrent agreement of more than twenty eclipses. The seventy weeks date from the going forth of a decree respecting the restoration of Jerusalem. There were no decrees between the seventh and twentieth year of ARTAXERXES. Four hundred and ninety years, beginning with the 7th, must commence in B. C. 457, and end in A. D. 34. Commencing in the 20th, they must commence in B. C. 444, and end in A. D. 47. As no event occurred in A. D. 47 to mark their termination, we cannot reckon from the 20th; we must, therefore, look to the 7th of ARTAXERXES. This date we cannot change from B. C. 457 without first demonstrating the inaccuracy of PTOLEMY’s Canon. To do this, it would be necessary to show that the large number of eclipses by which its accuracy has been repeatedly demonstrated, have not been correctly computed; and such a result would unsettle every chronological date, and leave the settlement of epochs and the adjustment of eras entirely at the mercy of every dreamer, so that chronology would be of no more value than mere guess-work.-As the seventy weeks must terminate in A. D. 34, unless the 7th of ARTAXERXES is wrongly fixed, and as that cannot be changed without some evidence to that effect, we inquire, What evidence marked that termination? The time when the apostles turned to the Gentiles harmonizes with that date better than any other which has been named. And the crucifixion, in A. D. 31, in the midst of the last week, is sustained by a mass of testimony which cannot be easily invalidated.” PTJW May 1850, page 78.2
I am glad that the “Herald” has given this testimony on time. A school boy, that can add and subtract, can see that if the seventy weeks commenced B. C. 457, as shown by the “Herald,” the 2300 days certainly terminated in 1844. It was oft repeated in 1843, “FIGURES WON’T LIE.” This is as true in 1850, as it was in 1843. PTJW May 1850, page 78.3
Jesus caused the “sacrifice and oblation to cease” in the “midst” [middle] of the seventieth week by “nailing it to his cross” in the spring of A. D. 31. To this add three years and a half, the last half of the seventieth week, and it brings us to the autumn of A. D. 34 for the termination of the seventy weeks, [490 years.] Then add 1810 years, the last part of the 2300, which reach to the cleansing of the Sanctuary, and it brings us to the Autumn of 1844. Amen. PTJW May 1850, page 78.4
At that point of time the Midnight Cry was given, the work for the world was closed up, and Jesus passed into the Most Holy Place to receive the kingdom, and to cleanse the Sanctuary. PTJW May 1850, page 78.5
With these facts before us, it seems strange that any one should contend that the 2300 days are not ended. A singular period indeed that has extended already five and a half years beyond its real length, and has not ended yet! PTJW May 1850, page 78.6
The “Watchman,” (a paper which advocated the termination of the 2300 days in the Spring of 1850,) says—“There is manifestly a great lack of faith on time.” It seems perfectly unreasonable to expect much faith on any time that might be set for the ending of the 2300 days, as we are more than five years this side of where the true calculation that aroused the world, run out. Since 1844, so many times have been published, with little or no evidence to sustain them, and have had so little effect upon the people, and have passed by, that we may naturally expect the people to be disgusted with any set time for the 2300 days to end in the future, and we may reasonably expect that those who have published these false times will be ashamed of their past course in removing the “landmarks.” PTJW May 1850, page 78.7
III. THE SHUT DOOR
That there is to be a shut door prior to the second advent, many will admit; yet but few seem willing to have it where it actually took place. Let us take a brief view of our past history, as marked out by the parable of the ten virgins [Matthew 25:1-11] and I think we shall clearly see that there can be no other place for the shut door but at the Autumn of 1844. PTJW May 1850, page 78.8
Here Jesus gives us the history of an eastern marriage, and declares that the kingdom of heaven [the history of the living subjects of the looked for kingdom, for nothing else could go forth to meet the bridegroom etc. etc.] should be likened [compared] unto it. Now in order to compare second advent history with that of an eastern marriage given by Jesus, every event in our history, corresponding with each point in the history of an eastern marriage, must be complete, and we must stand down this side of the shut door, then we can look back and compare both histories. This we will now do. PTJW May 1850, page 78.9
ADVENT HISTORY
The doctrine of the second advent of Christ called out a devoted people who took their Bibles [lamps] for their light, and who confidently expected to meet Christ [the Bridegroom] in 1843. PTJW May 1850, page 78.10
We were disappointed, and the best light we could see, for a few months after that disappointment, was that we were in the tarrying time. In that tarrying time we “all slumbered and slept” on time. PTJW May 1850, page 78.11
But soon we saw that the 2300 days extended to 1844. We saw that it would take all of 457, and all of 1843, to make 2300; therefore it would take as much of 1844, to complete 2300 full years, as had passed PTJW May 1850, page 78.12
------MARRIAGE. [Column beside “ADVENT HISTORY”]
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” etc. [beside paragraph 78.10] “While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept.” [beside paragraph from the 457, when the decree went forth. From the best light we could then obtain from the autumnal types we were very confident that the days would end at the seventh month, and the cry-“Behold the Bridegroom cometh” was actually raised, and swelled louder and louder throughout the land, until the advent people were fully awake, anxiously expecting to see Jesus on the tenth day of the seventh month. PTJW May 1850, page 78.13
When we came up to that point of time, all our sympathy, burden and prayers for sinners ceased, and the unanimous feeling and testimony was, that our work for the world was finished for ever. PTJW May 1850, page 79.1
“As he [Christ] is, so are we in this world.” 1 John 4:17. The living branches on earth, will sympathize with, and move in concert with the “true vine” in heaven. The reason why the living branches felt that their work was done for the world, was, because the 2300 days were ended, and the time had come for Jesus to shut the door of the Holy, and pass into the Most Holy, to receive the kingdom, and cleanse the Sanctuary. This change, so wonderfully described in Daniel 7:13, 14, answers to the coming of the bridegroom and shut door, in the parable. PTJW May 1850, page 79.2
----------[MARRIAGE column continues]
“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” [beside paragraph 78.15] PTJW May 1850, page 79.3
“Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.” [beside paragraph 78.15] PTJW May 1850, page 79.4
“And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil for our lamps are gone out. [beside paragraph 78.15] PTJW May 1850, page 79.5
“But the wise answered, Not so: lest there be not enough for us and you: but rather go to them that sell and buy for yourselves. [beside paragraph 79.1] PTJW May 1850, page 79.6
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut.” [beside paragraph 79.2] PTJW May 1850, page 79.7
---------------
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened [compared] unto ten virgins,” etc. When? At this very time, when the faithful servant is giving meat to the “HOUSEHOLD,” (not to the unbelieving world,) and is opposed by the evil servant, and when the advent history, marked out by the parable, is fulfilled, and the shut door in the past. Now we may see that the only place for the shut door was in 1844. Amen. PTJW May 1850, page 79.8
But says the objector-“The door of mercy will not be closed until Jesus comes.” We do not read of such a door as “the door of mercy” in the Bible; neither do we teach that such a door was shut in 1844. God’s “mercy endureth for ever.” See Psalm 136:1; 106:1; 118:1. He is still merciful to his saints, and ever will be; and Jesus is still their advocate and priest. But the sinner, to whom Jesus had stretched out his arms all the day long, and who had rejected the offers of salvation, was left without an advocate, when Jesus passed from the Holy Place, and shut that door in 1844. The professed church, who rejected the truth, was also rejected, and smitten with blindness, and now, “with their flocks and with their herds” they go “to seek the Lord” as still an advocate for sinners; but, says the prophet, [Hosea 5:6, 7,] “they shall not find him; he hath WITHDRAWN HIMSELF from them. They have dealt treacherously against the Lord; for they have begotten strange children.” PTJW May 1850, page 79.9
The reason why they do not find the Lord is simply this, they seek him where he is not; “he hath withdrawn himself” to the Most Holy Place. The prophet of God calls their man-made converts, “STRANGE CHILDREN;” “now shall a month devour them, and their portions.” PTJW May 1850, page 79.10
Says the objector-“I believe that Jesus is still on the mercy-seat.” In answer to this oft repeated assertion, let me say; Jesus never was on the mercy-seat, and never will be. The mercy seat is in the Most Holy Place, where Jesus entered at the end of the 2300 days. It’s position is upon the ark of the ten commandments; and over it are the cherubims of glory. Before the mercy-seat stands our Great High Priest pleading his blood for Israel. PTJW May 1850, page 79.11
If the door (represented by the door in the parable) is not to be shut until Jesus descends from heaven in flames of fire, then where will be the knocking, and saying “Lord, Lord, open unto us”? It is evident that the door is shut prior to the second advent, and that unbelievers are ignorant of the fact of its being shut; therefore they knock at the shut door, and say, Lord Lord, open unto us.” When the great day of God’s wrath is come, and unbelievers are apprised of their lost situation, they will not knock, with a hope of being admitted, no, no; but they will flee to rocks and mountains for shelter. See Isaiah 2:19-21; Revelation 6:15-17. Now their prayer is, “Lord, Lord, OPEN UNTO US;” but then their prayer will be to “rocks and mountains,” “FALL ON US, and HIDE us FROM the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” PTJW May 1850, page 79.12
It is impossible to harmonize such portions of the Word as Isaiah 2:19-21; Revelation 6:15-17, with the idea of the shut-door, and knocking being at, and after the advent. The 2300 days and cleansing the Sanctuary of Daniel 8:13, 14, the parable of the ten virgins, and other parallel portions of Scripture clearly fix the shut door in 1844. This view establishes our holy advent experience in the past, gives certainty to the “blessed hope” of very soon seeing Jesus, and causes our path to shine “more and more unto the perfect day.” Amen. PTJW May 1850, page 79.13
[Letter from Bro. Nichols.]
Dear Brother and Sister White:- You inquire after sister Temple. I will briefly state the following facts. Sister Temple has been very sick, more dangerously sick than at any time before. Her friends and others had but very little, if any hope of her recovery. She had been failing for six weeks; and on the 17th inst. she was taken with great pain in her stomach and bowels, which medicine could not relieve.-On Tuesday evening following, she was taken suddenly very weak and nearly helpless, and from this time to Friday she was dangerously sick, and under the direction of a physician, who said she was attacked with the inflammation of the stomach and bowels, and that her liver was affected, and some other things which affected her heart, which made her case almost hopeless. PTJW May 1850, page 79.14
We did not know of her sickness until Thursday. And on Friday, myself and companion went into the city [Boston] to see her. We found her in an exceedingly weak, distressing and sinking state, and her body very sore and full of pain. She had frequent swooning turns, which had the appearance to me, like one dying. She afterwards revived a little, but was unable to converse. I told her that I felt that the sickness was for the glory of God, and that there was an injunction for her to obey, [James 5:14,] and a promise for her if she would comply. She assented, and said, “When Bro. Emmons comes in (whom we expected would soon call) I will comply.” Bro. Emmons soon came in, and sister Temple’s brother, who is an unbeliever, was requested to leave the room. I then read James 5:14, 15, and John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my word [the whole law of God] abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and shall be done unto you.” After making a few remarks upon this verse, Sister Temple said, “I feel clear in claiming this promise, and that the law of God does abide in me.” We three, Bro. Emmons, myself and companion, then committed sister Temple’s case unto the Lord to direct; then my companion “anointed her with oil in the name of the Lord.” Sister Temple asked her to apply the oil to that part of the body where the greatest pain was; and while doing this, Sister Temple said, “I feel that I am healed.” She immediately called for her clothes, and dressed herself, got up from the bed, and walked the room, praising God, and saying, “I am a wonder to myself-I feel perfectly well and strong, and have no pain, nor soreness in my body.” We all then united in giving thanks unto God for his great mercy; and for the wonderful manifestation of his power in healing. Sister Temple tried to remain bowed down with us, but she said she could not; she must walk the room, and praise God. I called to see her yesterday, (Tuesday, 26th inst.) and she remains well; says she is healed soul and body, and has to walk the room and sing and praise God. Praise the Lord. PTJW May 1850, page 80.1
OTIS NICHOLS.
Dorchester, Mass. March 24, 1850.
THE STATE OF THE CAUSE
The present state of the cause in this part of the state is cheering. Our last conference, held April 20 and 21, was one of the best I ever attended. The brethren all seemed to be very firm on the truth. It was a melting, weeping, refreshing season to us all. For the first time, our beloved brethren, Tanner, Miller and Hyatt met with us, they are firm on all the present truth. May the Lord bless them abundantly. PTJW May 1850, page 80.2
We have recently visited the precious band in Camden, who have lately embraced the Sabbath, etc. They have been scattered and torn by spiritualism, and other errors; but God is uniting and healing them, and making them valiant for his truth. When I see what God has done for them, within a few weeks, through his truth, my mind is led out after other honest souls, who are buried up with error. PTJW May 1850, page 80.3
Gospel order is being restored by the church in this vicinity, and all are feeling that they have a part to act in the great and glorious cause of truth. This course has a tendency to produce a strong union among brethren, and is owned and blessed of Heaven. It is hoped that all our brethren will feel the importance of New Testament order in the church, and that they will unitedly act their part in carrying forward the precious cause. PTJW May 1850, page 80.4
We now expect to leave this state in a few days, to spend some weeks visiting the dear brethren in the east; therefore the brethren may not expect to receive the “Present Truth,” for a short time, at least. There is on hand all the back numbers, and a large supply of hymn books; also my review of J. Marsh in pamphlet form, of 36 pages, the “third angel’s Message,” 16 pages, “Brother Miller’s dream with notes,” 16 pages, and the article in this number on the Sanctuary, 2300 days and the shut door, 16 pages. The above can be had without money or price by addressing (post paid) Otis Nichols, Dorchester, Mass. or Elias Goodwin, Oswego, N. Y. PTJW May 1850, page 80.5
All who are interested are invited to help sustain the cause of truth. PTJW May 1850, page 80.6
[Note BY MRS E. G. WHITE to Eli Curtis-Omitted. See EGW CD.] PTJW May 1850, page 80.7
Errors in No. 9-Page 68, second col. fifteenth line from the top, for “Did John see the ark of the ten commandments in heaven? Yes, so he testifies;” read Did John say that the ark of the ten commandments “were seen” in heaven? Yes, this was his testimony. PTJW May 1850, page 80.8
Page 67, second col. 18th line from bottom, read owned for owed.” PTJW May 1850, page 80.9
The same errors will be seen in the tract “The Third Angel’s Message,” page 10, eleven lines from the bottom, and page 13, fourteen lines from the top. PTJW May 1850, page 80.10