The Testimony of Jesus

Other Questions

We have been asked to explain at various times how we harmonize the statement of Mrs. White that just before Christ’s coming the day and hour of that coming would be declared from heaven, with the statement of Christ found in Mark 13:32. I believe these two statements can be harmonized without difficulty. TOJ 108.1

In Mark 13:32 Christ declares, “Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Christ here made a statement that was then a fact, and would continue to be a fact down through and to the very close of the Christian dispensation. To the world there would be no announcement of the coming of the Lord, and no such announcement will be made even to the church during the probationary period; for such an announcement would defeat the very purpose of the gospel, leading men to turn to the Lord through fear or because of selfish considerations, and not from a principle of right. But after there has been called out of all nations a people for His name, after Christ has ceased to minister in the sanctuary above, and the case of every one, living and dead, has been irrevocably fixed and the reward determined, then, just before Christ is to appear in the clouds of heaven, the Father will proclaim the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The statement in The Great Controversy reads as follows: TOJ 108.2

“The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder, His words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with His glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by keeping His Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory. TOJ 108.3

“Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud, about half the size of a man’s hand. It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour, and which seems in the distance to be shrouded in darkness. The people of God know this to be the sign of the Son of man.”—Page 640, ed. 1893. TOJ 109.1

Commenting on this statement Mrs. White wrote on August 11, 1888: TOJ 109.2

“They [these statements referred to above] contain all that I have ever been shown in regard to the definite time of the Lord’s coming. I have not the slightest knowledge as to the time spoken by the voice of God. I heard the hour proclaimed, but had no remembrance of that hour after I came out of vision. TOJ 109.3

“Scenes of such thrilling, solemn interest passed before me as no language is adequate to describe. It was all a living reality to me, for close upon this scene appeared the great white cloud, upon which was seated the Son of man.”—E. G. White Letter 38, 1888. TOJ 109.4