[Bates’ Pamphlet #2] Second Advent Way Marks and High Heaps

EIGHTH WAY MARK. - BRIDEGROOM COME. - MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB, - AND DOOR SHUT

“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.” Matthew 25:10. BP2 97.1

Now just so sure as we have had a Cry at Midnight, just so sure in the sense of the parable the Bridegroom has come! That we have had just such a one as our Lord described in the parable of the ten virgins, in its details, is clear from our past history, and has been affirmed too by almost every advent believer in this country; and at a time too when they acknowledged that they had the spirit and power of God as they have not felt it since. Now if this testimony is to be set at naught and overthrown just to suit the interest of men, when shall we ever know that the church can speak the truth; or that we are in the pathway to the kingdom? BP2 97.2

Second. This cry is not now being given, neither has it been since Oct.1844. Neither does any one undertake to show when, nor where, it will or can be given in the future, except a few individuals who say it will be given when Jesus comes, and these can neither show scripture time or order for it. We say therefore that it is clear it was finished as shown in the fifth way mark, in the fall of 1844, when the Bridegroom came. Children of the bride chamber is the church on earth in their proper place, ready when he came. Matthew 25:10; 9:15. Bridegroom is only another name for Christ, and designates him under this title when brought into connection with his people, or the New Jerusalem “the Mother,” and will be completed when the children get home. At his first advent he was Bridegroom to his people; as such he left them, (see the above quotation) went away with this title, and he retains it or assumes it again in connection with his marriage or everlasting union with the New Jerusalem, which is to take place before his second coming is clear from Revelation 21:2, 9, 10. But when he comes to receive his people that he was bridegroom to, he comes under quite a different title, viz. a king; 25:34. Then it is also clear that he does not come to this earth again under the title of bridegroom. Then the transaction as in the parable, 10th v., is as David and Daniel have represented. “Ask of me, and I will give the heathen thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth thy possession;” Psalm 2:8. “I saw in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.” Now this must be Jesus come in his cloudy chariot before the great God, who is represented in the height of his sanctuary in heaven beholding the earth; Psl. Solomon represents him in the heaven of heavens. Here, then, Jesus is brought before him. “And there was given him dominion and glory and a kingdom.” Three things - lst, “Dominion,“ denoting unlimited authority and government; “from sea to sea, and from the rivers to the end of the earth.” 2nd, “Glory,“ denoting splendor and magnificence. This, I understand, is the splendid golden city, the New Jerusalem, the capital of all his dominions; Matthew 25:31. 3rd. Kingdom. John says it is the “kingdoms of this world; Revelation 11:15. Now the glory that he received is the only one of the three which is in heaven. The other two, viz. “dominion” and a “kingdom,” are here where the children or church are sojourning. Then when he comes as king he brings that “glory” the “mother” of the children with him, and when it is located here, and the children with the “mother,” the vision of Daniel will be realized in full. The saints of the Most High possessing the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven.” Having become perfectly and forever united with the city that has come down from heaven. This is what we have called Paradise lost, but now restored forever. In Matthew 25:31, Jesus has taught us that when he shall come to judge the world as king, (34th v.) he will “set upon the throne of his glory;” then he takes possession of his kingdom and dominion under the whole heavens. BP2 97.3

Now when Daniel receives the interpretation of this night vision (see 16th v.) the angel gives him the chronological order, by stating that “the saints of the Most High S H A L L (in the future) take the kingdom and possess it,” 18th v. “And the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom,” 22nd v. When did the time come? Certainly after the Son of Man had received his dominion and glory, and a kingdom in the heavens: and when he comes as king to judgment, he brings that glory with him, and sits upon it. (See Matthew 25:31, 34; compare with this Titus 2:13.) “Blessed hope and glorious appearing.” Then is it not plain that his union with his glory, the New Jerusalem which is called the Bride, constitutes him the Bridegroom there for that special purpose only, and all this to be done before he can have his Bride, the “glory” that Daniel saw him receive to bring with him, when he comes as king (having changed his name.) to possess his kingdom. It certainly will not be disputed that this marriage or union of the Lamb is an event to transpire in time, some where at the close of the prophetic periods, and in order that every event may have its proper fulfilment before he can come as king. For this is the title he claims at his second appearing, and no where is it shown that he will ever be personally seen here under the title of “Bridegroom.” We say therefore that his coming in the sense of the parable, is as Daniel describes it. He received, or as we best understand it, was inaugurated as king into his throne, the Holy City, which is the capital of his kingdom, that he will bring with him and establish here, and it will ever be the capital of all his dominions under the whole heaven. Here follow the scriptural names “New Jerusalem,” “Holy City,” “Tabernacle of God,” “City of my God,” “Zion of God,” “True Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man,” “a building of God,” “a house not made with hands, eternal and in the heavens,” “Garden of Eden,” “Paradise of God,” “the Mother of us all.” These all have one meaning, which is the Bride, the Lamb’s Wife. She cannot be fully adorned until all the children of the Mother are at home in the capital, with the king. BP2 99.1

Now comes again “the law of Moses.” Types. - Now understand me: I want you to see what I have partly stated in the fifth way mark. “T H R E E times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God.” First is the feast of unleavened bread, i.e. the Passover. (2nd.) Feast of weeks. (3rd.) Feast of Tabernacles, in Deuteronomy 16-16. The reasons are given. The details and explanation are principally in the 23. chap. of Lev. BP2 100.1

Let us start now understandingly. These three feasts are typical of three of the most important events to transpire in this world from the first to the second advent. BP2 100.2

(1st.) Was the crucifixion of our Lord at the Passover feast? BP2 100.3

(2nd.) Fifty days after, or the 7th week feast, the day of Pentecost, A. D. 31. BP2 100.4

Now as these two feasts have been perfectly fulfilled, we have nothing farther to do with them here. BP2 100.5

(3rd.) Feast of Tabernacles on the 15th of the 7th month. This undoubtedly represents the gathering of all Israel at the ingathering of the harvest, the end of the world, and will have a perfect fulfilment here. BP2 100.6

Now let us examine closely; for here I think we shall find the longitude of our ship, which will enable us to correct our dead reckoning preparatory to receiving the time when we shall enter the glorious harbor of rest. BP2 100.7

Here then in this third and last feast are three types each marked by time making perfect order in their fulfilment. BP2 100.8

1st. 24th v. Is the memorial of trumpets on the 1st day of the 7th month? In the 7th way mark we think we have shown how this is being fulfilled, viz. sounding the seventh trumpet: If any one doubts respecting this, the next type will make it clear. BP2 100.9

2nd. type: “Also on the 10th day of the 7th month, there shall be a day of atonement. Ye shall afflict your souls from even to even shall you celebrate your Sabbath,” i.e. it shall be a 24 hour day. Here in this type the people were all these 24 hours in a deep state of trial, afflicted for their sins, waiting around the Tabernacle, while the High Priest was performing the services in the “most holy place,” making the atonement for the sanctuary, himself and people; and when he comes out he pronounces the blessing, and then the day of affliction is over until the next year. Now mark. God was so particular to have this type fulfilled that he made it a standing order that whosoever would not be afflicted in that day, should be cut off from among his people. Now if I can show the fulfilment or antetype to this type, will you believe? BP2 100.10

First, then to be perfect in time it must begin on the 10th day of the 7th month, and no where else. Then please look back to the 10th of the 7th month, 1844, where all the virgins were out looking for the Bridegroom, or as in the type, waiting for Jesus our great High Priest, to finish the atonement for the sanctuary and ourselves, and bless us by his glorious appearing. At this point of time our disappointment when the day came and no indications of our Lord’s coming was intense. Here then all the honest and sincere virgins were plunged into a furnace of affliction, which they could not avoid, and have been wading through it these last thirty months. This has been such a universal and simultaneous affliction, presenting itself in all its various forms, prophesied of by prophets and apostles, that it is impossible for advent believers to deny without apostatizing from the faith. They have likened it to the passing of gold and silver through “refining fire.” Peter says we must not “think strange concerning it.” James calls it the patient waiting time. John calls it the patience of the saints. The angel Gabriel was also instructed respecting the holy people in the last days. He said they should be tried. When we say we are looking for the Lord, we virtually acknowledge all this in the past, for it would be perfect folly to say these trials would come on the holy people after the resurrection. This history is in perfect accordance in the time and manner with the type. Indeed if this is not clear and admitted, we should forever despair of appealing to the conscience for testimony. Here then we say is the perfect antetype to the 10th day of the 7th month affliction. For if the universal and peculiar trials to God’s people have not yet come, then vain is our hope of the second advent here. Do you doubt now whether the seventh trumpet, the first type of these three, is sounding, you must see that these two types are 10 days apart. In time therefore the seventh trumpet must sound, first to usher in this very affliction. And now see there is but one type more to be fulfilled in this last feast; and this is the feast of Tabernacles, which cannot take place in April nor May, nor any other month but the 15th of the 7th month. The fulfilment of the two preceding types prove this position. O God, I thank thee for the clear light that arises from this feast of Tabernacles. BP2 101.1

Then we say at the commencement of this second type, the symbol of our trial, was where the Bridegroom came, and commenced the cleansing of the sanctuary. When God speaks and shakes earth and heaven, Joel says Jerusalem will be holy, the sanctuary will be complete, the atonement finished; for God will then be the hope of his people. BP2 101.2

Here then we say on the 10th day of the 7th month, in accordance with the type, God has particularly given the work of reconciliation, atonement or cleansing, it must begin here and no where else, for this is the special time to commence the atonement. It was on the 10th of the 7th month that Aaron the high Priest finished the atonement, and he was the type of Jesus our great High Priest; the most holy place a type of the coming of Jesus out of the third heaven to the New Jerusalem, prepared as a Bridegroom to be united to his Bride. BP2 102.1

Let us for a moment look at the type in Leviticus 16. In the first place the High Priest enters the most holy place once a year, on the 10th day of the 7th month, and with the blood of beasts begins by making atonement for himself and house (6th v.) Please read 16th and 17th v., and then 29-34. “And he (the High Priest) shall make an atonement (or cleansing) for the holy sanctuary.” And then for the Tabernacle, (the whole building) and for the altar; then for the Priests, and for all the people of the congregation. And this is to be an everlasting statute; 33 and 34 v. The only way to make atonement or forgive sins, until Christ our great High Priest shall come. Now let Paul explain: “Now of the things of which we have spoken, this is the sum; Hebrews 8:1. The sum of the preceding chapters, especially the seventh where he shows that Christ now comes to be our Priest forever, and that of course abolishes the Priesthood, and law of Moses respecting Priesthood. Now read 8:1; again: “We have such an High Priest” who is with God in the heavens; “A minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man.” This places Jesus our High Priest in the heavens, where the sanctuary, the New Jerusalem is; he ministering there for us in the holy place, not with bullock’s blood, but his own, fulfilling in all that has been shadowed forth in the type by the high priest in the Tabernacle on earth. Let Paul speak again in the 4th and 5th v: “Seeing that there are [or was then] Priests that offer gifts according to the law, who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things; as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle [a meeting-house on earth]. For see, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount;” as stated in Exodus 25-27 and 40 chapters. I understand it thus. Make a meeting-house and every article of the furniture to correspond with the great meeting-house and its furniture which is in the “Third heavens.” Why, Paul? “For (or because) Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, [that is, the meeting-houses which Moses and Solomon made] but unto heaven itself;” 9:24 (to become a minister of the great meeting-house in heaven, which God made.) Then in the 23rd verse he shows that every thing pertaining to the meeting-house on earth was to be purified or cleansed by the blood of Jesus the great High Priest over the house of God;” Hebrews 10:21. Now if you will read chap. 9:1-10, Paul will show you the use and meaning of the earthly meeting-house. Then he begins in the 11th v. thus: “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle [meeting-house in heaven] not made with hands.” How was it made? “Just as the worlds were: by the word of God,“ 9:3. He is then there to minister for us the great antetype to fulfil all that is given in the types above stated. BP2 102.2

This I understand is a part of what Daniel saw in his night vision. John in his Revelation says, “The temple of God was open in heaven, and there was seen the ark of his testament, (the chest containing the ten commandments) 11:19; see 15 v. This was under the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Again in the 15. He says, “the Temple of the Tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was open.” Now mark; this was after the cry “Come out of her, my people” was given, for here they are altogether rejoicing over the victory they had obtained over the churches; 2nd and 3rd v. And in the same chronological point of time, he “beheld a cloud, and one sat like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown;” 14:14. Now John shows here that he saw all this after the message of the third angel, and before the seven angels had began to pour out the seven last plagues; for he never saw them until the temple was open. Now the 15th v. of the 16. ch. shows clearly that Christ does not come before the sixth plague is poured out. Here then is positive corroborated proof of Christ’s receiving his dominion and glory and kingdom or as in the parable of the ten virgins the Bridegroom came to the marriage under the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and after the third angel’s message, and before six of the seven plagues are poured out. BP2 103.1

I am aware that all this can be objected to. So can the whole vision. But it does mean something which took place in heaven. And who that will read Leviticus 16:29-34, and 23:27-32, where the type is presented every year can ever doubt but the antetype will take place here on the 10th of the 7th month, where the appointed time must end (2300 days) and Jesus after his marriage enter the Holiest of Holies, and commence the cleansing of the sanctuary; as John has it, “prepare mansions in my Father’s house.” Jesus says emphatically, “after I have prepared a place for you, I will return and take you with me.” Is not this the New Jerusalem? and does he not prepare it before he comes for his saints? This must be the cleansing or justifying the sanctuary. And we say again there is no other place or time for it to take place. And as it respects the history, the only place and time that God’s people did simultaneously go out to meet the Bridegroom was on the 10th day of the 7th month, 1844. A more perfect fulfilment never has taken place before. Who can see any thing like this in the future? BP2 104.1

Now as our experience shows such a perfect fulfilment of events, where in our history should we look for this important event to take place, if not in the text and types, “And the Bridegroom came, and at the end of the appointed time, (2300 days) where the sanctuary is to be justified or cleansed?” Here, then, we say is the commencing of this important work. Here is the beginning; and Joel tells us when it will be finished or cleansed. When the “Lord roars out of Zion, and shakes the heavens and earth,” (see Hag. and Paul’s description, also,) “then shall Jerusalem be holy.” The Bridegroom will then have changed his title to that of king. At this point of time I think is where John saw the crown on his head. This certainly is before his coming, and after the shaking of the powers of heaven. And that has not yet been done, but is the very next sign in order. What next? The sign of the Son of Man. What next? Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven. Now this is the order Jesus has given us himself - why cannot we believe it? I know it is easy enough for any one who does not search the scriptures very diligently or give any stretch to his thoughts, to say that all these events can, or will take place when Jesus comes. It might just as well have been said that when the sun was darkened, the stars fell, but we clearly see there was time and space for both. So there will be for all the sign given. This subject of the coming of the Bridegroom has also been ably discussed, and very clearly seen and admitted. The backsliding of its principal advocates is no more proof of its non-fulfilment, than that there has been no Midnight Cry, because the same class of people have rejected it. The scriptures are our guide. This has been the great scape goat or loop hole, for a certain class to crawl away from the position they had taken, into more respectable congregations and society, and confess this the great error they had been led into, when in fact their hearts were filled with unbelief respecting the short distance they had travelled in the pathway after the fall of 1844. The proof of this is clearly seen in their concessions and confessions to them that retreated back after the cry to what was called the broad platform, the tarrying time in the spring of 1844. They are about all united now in doing the work over again, and in finding fault with the shut door people. I am aware this is plain language, but I speak advisedly. My heart has been burdened and pained while I have been watching the progress of backsliding Israel. BP2 104.2

MARRIAGE. - “And they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage.” I know it reads so, says one, but is it a literal wedding or marriage? No, it is a figurative representation (as we have shown) of a union effected between Christ the Bridegroom, and his Bride, the New Jerusalem in heaven; and when this took place the church here below were all brought into a certain state (’R E A D Y’) and participated in the union. This must necessarily be so, for Christ being the vine and the church the branches, also the head and the church the body, one could not move without the other. Again, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.” Therefore when Jesus leaves the mediatorial seat to be united to his Bride, the church will as necessarily move as the body does when the head turns round. Now we say that our history on the 22nd of October, 1844, was a perfect fulfilment of the figure or parable given to illustrate it. See “While they went to buy, the Bridegroom came, and they that were READY went in with him to the marriage.” Here at this point the heavens rang with song and praise, “the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying, Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white, [why?] for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints;” Revelation 19:5-8; - that is, the real saints would at this time be arrayed in fine linen clean and white, or they would be ready by sacrifice and obedience just as the angel Gabriel shewed Daniel it should be with the holy people in the latter (or last) days, “purified and made white, and tried,” but the trial is between the wedding and the supper. For he adds in 9th v., “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. These are the true sayings of God.” His meaning I understand to be this. They only are blessed that are called to the supper, for many would be at the wedding and join in the marriage song that would not be at the supper in the New Jerusalem, because they would not endure the trial that they should be plunged into between the marriage and the supper. How clear that the marriage takes place, and consequently the Bridegroom come, and the door shut, before the trial comes to purge and fan out the chaff from the wheat. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” It seems to me that the trial of the saints is as positive proof of the marriage in the past, as that thirty months of our trial is in the past. Says the reader, I thought that those who were at the wedding and were shut into the guest chamber, were sealed and safe. You have no scripture to prove it; but to the contrary. See our Savior’s parable or figure for the marriage of the king’s son, meaning himself, Matthew 22:1-14. 10th v. shows the last gathering for the wedding to be made up of guests both bad and good (two classes). “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment.” And when he was asked how he came there “without a wedding garment, he was speechless.” What is a wedding garment? John says, “fine linen clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.” They had made their sacrifice, and were waiting for their Lord to come - “were made white.” God says, “Gather my saints together unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice;” Psalm 1:5. “Then said the king, bind him hand and foot, and take him away into outer darkness.” etc. So we plainly see there were those at the wedding that did not have on a wedding garment - their sacrifice and obedience was incomplete. This one represents many as in the parable of the virgins, and also the “angel giving the everlasting Gospel,” in Revelation 14. This defines the meaning in Revelation 19:9, where John was told to write thus: “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb,” for Jesus says, “many are called, but few are chosen.” BP2 105.1

The positive instructions to all who were ready and entered into this state with the Bridegroom to the marriage, was as Luke has recorded it: “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh they may open to him immediately.” Their trials during this interval, if they endure them patiently, will fit them for the marriage supper. This leads to the enquiry BP2 107.1

IS THE DOOR SHUT? “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;” Matthew 25:10. BP2 107.2

Jesus says, “When once the master of the house is risen up and shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us, and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are.” BP2 107.3

This was in answer to the question “if there were few that be saved.” He said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you, shall seek to enter in and shall not be able;” Luke 13:24, 25. None can go in short of perfect obedience to God. Jesus says to his disciples, “I am the door of the sheep.” Again, “I am the door, by me if any man enter in he shall be saved;” John 10:7-9. He further says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Here it is perfectly plain we have got to go in by and through Jesus, the door. BP2 107.4

He says to the Philadelphia Church, “he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth. Behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” How clear it is that the door is open to this church; this class of believers. Why? Because they have a “little strength and have not denied his name.” - What name? “New name,” 3.Revelation 7, 8, 12, “king of kings and Lord of Lords,” 19. We believe he has received his kingdom, and his title king of kings, and we acknowledge him as such, while the others in 9 v. deny him, and will not admit him to be king. Christ then will be their open door, and their way while they acknowledge and obey him, their king. Now it appears to me that we can understand how the door is shut. Christ says he is the door. Then, when he rises up to leave the office he has been fulfilling these 1800 years, and moves to the most holy place to receive his dominion and glory, and a kingdom, then he virtually shuts the door, and the work for the church is as necessarily changed; because as his sheep they follow him. Now as I have shown in the preceding chapter that this work precedes his advent and must be done on the 10th of the 7th month to fulfil the type and the parable of the virgins, and his people here on earth must participate and do their part, as was done in the type, and it must be something just like what has taken place, and will be known and believed in by God’s true children, and history has not recorded any thing like it in the past down to October, 1844. Neither has it transpired since in the 7th month of 1845 or ‘46. Neither can any thing like it take place again by the virgins in the parable, for they are divided and sub-divided, without a possibility of a union. Therefore if it is to be done in the future, it must be by an entirely new set of believers that are united as the virgins once were, when “they all arose and trimmed their lamps to go out and meet the Bridegroom.” How clear it is then that the door was shut as I have shown, on the 10th day of the 7th month, 1844, and no where else. And that here ended Daniel’s appointed time, 2300 days. Why end here? Because they were to end at an “appointed time,” 8:10. Hab. says at the end it shall speak and not lie, and then if it tarry, wait for it. This is precisely what we are now doing. Then it has spoken at an appointed time, 22nd Oct. 1844, and now is the tarrying of the vision. BP2 107.5

It must be pretty well understood by this time how the Advent Herald and its associates have derided those that adhere to this view since the noted Albany conference, and how repeatedly they have cited us to the future for the cleansing of the sanctuary at the ending of the 2,300 days. Now see them making another tack to windward! Here it is: “We shall continue to believe what we have constantly taught, [we should like to see how often since the Albany Conference,] that the 2300 days began about B. C. 457, and must end at a point of time not remote from 1843, as Wm. Miller first taught. The time is past to which the majority of evidence in our minds pointed for their termination.” - Advent Herald, Feb. 24. In a few weeks after this, the old chart is drawn out from the rubbish to which it had been exposed through neglect and uselessness and hung up in a conspicuous place in the meeting for reference again, and hailed with joy as an old particular friend. Not by all, for another division has taken place, which is another proof of the unsettled state respecting their true position. A true position they have never had since they began to repeat their message after the Bridegroom came and the door was shut. Their admission of the 2,300 days in the past necessarily acknowledges the principal part if not all which we have claimed, or they may acknowledge it to be so without fulfilling prophecy. They don’t show what sanctuary is being cleansed at the end of these days. Luke shows clearly that after the door is shut, those that are outside will begin to knock, and when they are denied admittance, they will tell of the wonders which they have wrought, and still the reply will be “I know you not.” Matthew is as clear. He says, “afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. He answers, I know you not.” After when was this knocking? Why, after the door was shut. Now I ask if the door is not shut before the second advent, unless this knocking afterwards can be proved to be after the change to immortality. And that can be admitted only on the unscriptural ground that the wicked will be also immortal. But according to Paul’s order of the resurrection, a gulf will be between them immediately, and those outside cannot knock for admittance, but we are told that their cry will be for “rocks and mountains to fall on them.” Then the knocking will be in this present state as it has been, and now is, clamoring about the door, in favor of backsliders and sinners when they have hardly any faith respecting their own true position - changing like a ship beating to windward in a heavy head beat sea, losing ground on every tack. Some have attempted to show in Luke 13, that the 28th and 29th verses were a proof that this knocking would be after the advent. I think it shows the reverse. “Weeping and gnashing of teeth,” certainly is not knocking for an open door, but shows, as it is stated, that had already been done. What does the apostle Paul call an open door? He says to the Cor. “For a great door and effectual was open unto me;” 16:19. “How he (God) had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles;” Acts 14:27. “Praying also for us that God would open us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ;” Colossians 4:3. “When I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord;” 2 Corinthians 2:12. BP2 108.1

Paul’s open door, then, was the preaching the gospel with effect to the Gentiles. Now let this door be shut, and the preaching of this gospel will have no effect. This is just what we say is the fact. The gospel message ended at the appointed time with the closing of the 2,300 days; and almost every honest believer that is watching the signs of the times will admit it. I know it will be said “why you have, or would close the door of mercy!” There is no such language in the Bible. I have no desire nor wish in my soul to see my worst enemy lost. I think I have made it manifest for the last twenty years; and am still willing to do what I can to save those that will help themselves. But I am perfectly sensible that it cannot be done only in God’s appointed way; and all that will walk under the shadow of his wing will rejoice at the fulfilment of his word, although their hearts may be burdened and pained at seeing the opposite in their friends. BP2 109.1

I think I have fully proved this eighth way mark and high heap in our pathway, that the Bridegroom has come, the marriage is past, and the door is shut. BP2 110.1

“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee for a little moment, until the indignation be over past;” Isaiah 26:20. BP2 110.2