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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 1, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 27, No. 22.

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Questions.

By J. M. A.

Will you please give an explanation through the Review, why father Miller set, first the time of the Lord's coming in 1843, and then in 1844? also
What about the correctness of the commencement of the 2300 days in the autumn of B. c. 457? Some say that the decree went forth in the spring, and for proof quote Ezra vii, 8.
State also which of our months corresponds to the first month according to Bible reckoning.
J. J. SHEPLEY.

REPLY.

Previous to 1843, the reasoning of Miller and others, was briefly as follows: The seventy weeks of Dan. ix, had their commencement at the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem; Dan. ix, 25. This commandment or decree went forth in the 7th of Artaxerxes, B. c. 457; Ezra vii. The Seventy weeks were a part of the 2300 years, being the first 490 years of that period. The period of 2300 years, therefore, commenced B. c. 457. Taking 457 from 2300, there remained 1843; hence, from such careless, though apparently correct reckoning, it was supposed that the 2300 years would terminate in 1843, and that the Lord would then come.
After the ending of the year 1843, a more critical examination of the subject disclosed the simple, yet important fact, that the full period of 2300 years, required 457 full years before Christ, and 1843 full years after, so that if said period commenced the very first day of 457, it would not end till the very last day of 1843; hence the same length of time that passed in 457 before the 2300 years commenced, must run into 1844 before they would end.
The question then arose, What time in 457 did the 70 weeks begin? Having the exact key to this prophetic period, and light in regard to the prophecy being greatly increased, they were enabled to solve this question beyond a doubt.
By a careful re-examination of the prophecy, it was readily discovered, that, as the middle of the last, or seventieth week (seven years) terminated in the first month, (April), or spring of A. D. 31 at the crucifixion, the remaining three and a half years, or last of the seventieth week, would consequently end in the seventh month (October), or autumn of A. D. 34. Then of course if the 70 weeks ended in the autumn of A. D. 34, they must have commenced in the autumn of B. c. 457, at which time also the period of 2300 years must have commenced. Then, commencing this period in the autumn of B. c. 457, it would not terminate till the autumn of 1844.
Thus we have the reasons why father Miller and others first set the time of the Lord's coming in 1843, and afterward in 1844.
But we are referred to Ezra vii, 8, 9, for proof that the decree to restore and build Jerusalem, went forth in the spring of 457. How then can it be true that the 2300 years commenced in autumn? It is no doubt true that the decree was made and given to Ezra in the spring of the year, but strictly speaking, it could not be said that the "going forth of the commandment" took place till the same became a public matter, or in other words, till Ezra arrived at Jerusalem and produced and published the king's decree and commenced putting the same into execution. This, evidently, did not take place till autumn, for it was in the spring, on the first day of the first month (Abib, answering to our April), that Ezra started for Jerusalem, and he did not arrive there till the fifth month. Ezra vii, 9. Then it is probable that the time intervening, previous to the important feast of the seventh month, was occupied in waiting, fasting, and making suitable preparations therefor; so that the decree was not put into execution till immediately thereafter. And that this is the true starting point of the great period of 2300 years, needs no other proof than what is plainly deducible from the definite termination of the 70 weeks in the seventh month of A. D. 34. But in addition to the proof already made, the fact is again established by the words of the prophecy itself, that this period commenced at the commencement of the work of restoration, and not at the time the decree was made to Ezra. Dan. ix, 25. The exact time here allotted for the building of the street, and the wall "even in troublous times," covers the first division of the prophetic period, or first seven weeks of the seventy; and the fulfillment of this part of the prophecy, like each of the other parts, is remarkably sustained by historic facts.
Much more might be said in answer to the foregoing questions, but for a full explanation of the same, the reader is referred to SANCTUARY AND TWENTY-THREE HUNDRED DAYS; COMMANDMENT TO RESTORE AND BUILD JERUSALEM; THE PROPHECY OF DANIEL, &c., books published, and for sale at this Office.
J. M. A.