From Here to Forever

Messages Given at the Right Time

In like manner Miller and his associates fulfilled prophecy and gave a message which Inspiration had foretold should be given to the world. They could not have given it had they fully understood the prophecies pointing out their disappointment, and presenting another message to be preached to all nations before the Lord should come. The first and second angels’ messages were given at the right time and accomplished the work which God designed to accomplish by them. HF 249.3

The world had been expecting that if Christ did not appear, Adventism would be given up. But while many yielded their faith there were some who stood firm. The fruits of the advent movement, the spirit of heart searching, of renouncing of the world and reformation of life, testified that it was of God. They dared not deny that the Holy Spirit had witnessed to the preaching of the second advent. They could detect no error in the prophetic periods. Their opponents had not succeeded in overthrowing their prophetic interpretation. They could not consent to renounce positions reached through earnest, prayerful study of the Scriptures, by minds enlightened by the Spirit of God and hearts burning with its living power, and which had stood firm against learning and eloquence. HF 249.4

Adventists believed that God had led them to give the warning of the judgment. “It has,” they declared, “tested the hearts of all who heard it, ... so that those who will examine their own hearts, may know on which side ... they would have been found, had the Lord then come—whether they would have exclaimed, ‘Lo! this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us;’ or whether they would have called to the rocks and mountains to fall on them to hide them from the face of him that sitteth in the throne!”² HF 250.1

The feelings of those who still believed that God had led are expressed in the words of William Miller: “My hope in the coming of Christ is as strong as ever. I have done only what, after years of solemn consideration, I felt it my duty to do.” “Many thousands, to all human appearance, have been made to study the Scriptures by the preaching of the time; and by that means, through faith and the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, have been reconciled to God.”³ HF 250.2