W. W. Prescott and the 1911 Edition of The Great Controversy

70. Page 327

In dealing with the decree of Artaxerxes, it is stated that it “went into effect in the autumn of B.C. 457.” WWPGC 26.8

On the basis of this interpretation the 483 years are made to extend to the autumn of A.D. 27, when, it is stated on the same page, that: “Christ was baptized by John.” WWPGC 26.9

Further interpreting “the midst of the week” to mean the middle of the week, it is stated, on the same page, that: “In A. D. 31, three and a half years after His baptism, our Lord was crucified.” WWPGC 26.10

The same method of beginning the 2300 days in the autumn of B. C. 457 is used in the argument on pages 398, 400, and 410; and the time of the baptism is definitely fixed as the autumn of A. D. 27, and the crucifixion as the spring of A.D. 31. No proof is given, except the claim that the 2300 years commenced in the autumn of B.C. 457. But the Scripture statement is very plain; it says: “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and three score and two weeks,” et cetera. WWPGC 26.11

It is very difficult for me to see how the expression “From the going forth of the commandment,” can be made to mean from the time that Ezra commenced to build the city, at least six months after the commandment went forth. WWPGC 26.12

Furthermore, in my investigation of this subject, I find much good argument for placing the baptism in 27, either the spring or the summer of 27; and for placing the crucifixion either in A.D. 29 or 30; but I find no authority for making it as late as 31, except the marginal chronology of the Authorized Version of the Bible, which is Usher’s chronology. This chronology has been accepted by our writers to establish the baptism in A.D. 27, but has been rejected so far as it relates to the crucifixion, which is placed by it in A.D. 33. WWPGC 27.1

It seems to me abundantly evident from the Scripture and history that the 2300 days commenced in the spring of B.C. 457; that the baptism was not later than the early part of A.D. 27; that the crucifixion was not later than the early part of A.D. 30; and that the 2300 days must end in the spring of 1844. This interpretation appears to me to be in harmony both with Scripture and history. WWPGC 27.2

And this was the original interpretation of William Miller, as stated on page 328: “Miller and his associates at first believed that the 2300 days would terminate in the spring of 1844 whereas the prophecy points to the autumn of that year.” WWPGC 27.3

I am unable to see that the prophecy does point to the autumn of that year. The diagram inserted between pages 328 and 329 places the crucifixion in A.D. 31, the setting up of the papacy in 538, the ending of the 1260 years in 1798, and the ending of the 2300 years in the autumn of 1844. WWPGC 27.4

Response: Negative. No change made in the text. WWPGC 27.5

Observation: W. C. White in describing Ellen White’s work and its relation to the visions declared: “The framework of the great temple of truth sustained by her writings was presented to her clearly in vision. In some features of this work, information was given in detail. Regarding some features of the revelation, such as the features of prophetic chronology, as regards the ministration in the sanctuary and the changes that took place in 1844, the matter was presented to her many times and in detail many times, and this enabled her to speak clearly and very positively regarding the foundation pillars of our faith.”—W. C. White to L. E. Froom, January 8, 1928 (Published in Selected Messages 3:462). WWPGC 27.6