“The Time Is Fulfilled” (Mark 1 : 15); a Notable Anniversary.
By Washington Morse
- (Walker's Point, Muskoka, Ontario.)*
The time here spoken of by our Saviour, doubtless was the sixty-nine weeks, or four hundred and eighty-three years of the twenty-three hundred years of Daniel 8 : 14. At the baptism of our Saviour he was made known as the Messiah. The time had come when he was to come and begin his work in accordance with the prophecies. And to-day we are forcibly reminded that this day is the fifty-sixth anniversary since the remainder of the twenty-three hundred years ended. And it is a fact that God then called out his chosen ones to proclaim to the world that the judgment would begin at the end of the twenty-three-hundred-year period; and for twelve years this important truth was heralded through the world in great power, based upon Rev. 14 : 7, showing that the hour of his judgment was the time following the expiration of the twenty-three hundred years of Dan. 8 : 14, then called the first angel’s message. The time had come that this message was due, and was to be given to the world. The doors of all Protestant churches were open to hear this truth until January, 1844. At that time there was a sudden change, and all who still held to that truth were greatly bound, and had no liberty to speak or pray in their meetings. The churches were closed against this truth, and showed much bitterness toward those who still adhered to their faith. In the spring of 1844 the second angel’s message began to be proclaimed, although many had severed their connection with the church to which they belonged. The time had come when the second angel’s message was due to the world, and we were forced to give it, and to come out of her. Under this message, during the summer of 1844, there were from fifty to one hundred thousand who came out of their respective churches. From July 15 to October 22, the midnight cry was given to the world in great power, as brought to view in Matthew 24. We had no light upon the Third Angel’s Message until after the ending of the twenty-three hundred years. Soon after that, we saw, by faith, that the temple was opened in heaven, and the Sabbath was discovered. Some of our brethren began to keep it. Brother Frederick Wheeler, of New Hampshire, kept the Sabbath three or four years before he began to preach it. Hence, at this date, Oct. 22, 1844, the Third Angel’s Message began to be given to the world; and it will reach to the end, as all who do not obey are threatened with the wrath of God, the seven last plagues, as brought to view in Revelation 16. I do not in these few lines aim to discuss these solemn truths; as only lately they have been ably and clearly brought out in the REVIEW AND HERALD, and made as plain as A B C. In the issues of September 25, and October 2 and 9, they are brought out so clearly that great effort should be made to circulate those copies far and wide. But especially should our people study these articles. To those who have had an experience in all these messages, it is clear that God has been and is leading out a people to prepare them for the glorious event of Christ’s soon coming.