p. 85 | R. F. COTTRELL by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 7, 1869

R. F. COTTRELL

By R. F. Cottrell

THE CLOSING MESSAGES.—No. 4.

The possibility that these messages may be fulfilled and we not be aware of it, ought to arouse an interest in every mind to know the truth in relation to them. It is a fact of history that a message exactly corresponding to the message of prophecy, namely, “Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his Judgment is come,” has been announced, in the preaching of the Advent doctrine, previous to 1844.

The disappointment of those who were interested and shared in the work is, perhaps, the greatest objection to the idea that the message was from Heaven; that it was the work of God in fulfillment of his word. But must we cast aside, as spurious, so obvious a fulfillment of prophecy, only because those engaged in the movement expected more than the prophecy warranted, and consequently were disappointed? If so, who will believe the New Testament? In it is recorded the fulfillment of a very plain and conspicuous prophecy of the shouting of the disciples and of the multitude, on the occasion of the riding of Jesus into Jerusalem. The prophecy said, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.” The disciples did shout, in obedience to the prophetic mandate; but they believed more than the prophecy warranted—that the reign of Christ, the king, would immediately commence,—and though they did fulfill the prediction, they were sadly disappointed. Instead of seeing Jesus crowned in Jerusalem, they saw him led away to crucifixion; and they were sad.

But after the resurrection, ascension, and glorification, of Christ, at the right hand of the Father, “then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.” This shows that a mistake and a disappointment of those whom God had imbued with his Spirit in order to the fulfillment of his word, does not invalidate the fulfillment.

Then the message of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, may have been truly fulfilled, notwithstanding the disappointment arising from expecting more than the prophecy warranted. And until it can be proved that the 2300 days did not end in 1844 (which cannot be done), it cannot be proved that the special proclamation of Advent believers at that time was not the fulfillment of the message under consideration. We should be careful, lest our prejudices lead us into a fatal mistake, a mistake involving the rejection of the word of God. The danger is on the side of unbelief, the surety on the side of faith. There is danger that God will work in the fulfillment of his word of promise, and we not believe it. “Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your day, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.” Acts xiii, 40, 41.

Then let us look at this subject with candor. Let us search in earnest for the fulfillment of this prophetic message. It has been fulfilled, or it is still to be fulfilled. Who will believe it, if it is fulfilled a second time? Are you looking for the fulfillment, ready to believe, when it appears? or do you chose not to have it come in your day?

The prophecy said, “Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” It did not justify the belief that Christ would come at the end of the days. The true view of the sanctuary and its cleansing explains the disappointment, and shows that Christ must remain in his priesthood where he is, yet for an indefinite time, at the end of which he will come in his kingdom. See works on the Sanctuary and 2300 days, for sale at the REVIEW Office.