The Three Days and Three Nights
By Editor
991. Matt. 12:40. W. B. K. asks: "What is its real meaning? How are we to find the harmony between this and Christ's burial?"—"To answer the last question first, we must read, study, meditate, pray. 'Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things,' is the apostolic injunction. Now what did Jesus say?—'For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.' For other scriptures see John 2:19 ("in three days"); Mark 8:31 ("after three days"); Matt. 16:21; Mark 9:31; Luke 18:33; and others ("the third day"); and near the close of the day upon which Jesus rose, in Luke 24:21 ("to-day is the third day since these things were done"). From a consideration of all the passages and from other scriptures we conclude that parts of days were counted as days. Parts of two days and the whole of one were counted as three days. So Jonah may have been a part of each of two days and one whole day in the sea monster. They would be counted three days and nights, a term used for a day. Compare Esther 4:16 with 5:1 and Dan. 8:14 with margin. "the heart of the earth" occurs alone. It may include the powers of earth, and the time reach from Christ's apprehension, when He said, "This is your hour, and the power of darkness!" "now is the judgment of this world." That was Thursday night, or the beginning of the sixth day; He was in the sepulcher on the seventh; and in the close of the first day the disciples said, "To-day is the third day since these things were done." Study, meditate, pray. 992. J. A. C. William Miller.—(1) When was William Miller born? (2) What are the best books on his writings, and how obtainable? (3) Were his views correct on the 1843-44 movement? (4) To what branch of Baptists did he formerly belong? (5) What is the best book on S. D. Adventism, and where found? (6) Where can I obtain the book or pamphlet entitled "Smith's Reply to Elder Canright"? (7) Where is J. N. Andrews stationed? (8) What is the right application of Rev. 14:6, 7? (9) What is meant by Babylon, in Rev. 14:8? 1. He was born in Pittsfield, Mass., Feb. 5, 1782; died in Low Hampton, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1849.
2. "Memoirs of William Miller," by Sylvester Bliss, Boston, 1853; and "Life of William Miller," by James White, Battle Creek, Mich. The latter may be obtained from the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. The price, we believe, is one dollar.
3. His views as regards the ending of the time in 1844 were correct, but he was wrong as to the event that was to occur at that time. See last-named work.
4. The Regular Baptists, we believe.
5. The Bible; it may be obtained anywhere. This is the best, by all odds. Good helps to its understanding are numerous, and will be found in catalog sent.
6. Write Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.
7. John Nevins Andrews died in Basel, Switzerland, Oct. 21, 1883.
8 and 9. See "Daniel and the Revelation," or the little tract, "The Great Threefold Message," No. 49 Apples of Gold Library, p. 43 in catalog. 993. U. G. A. Satan during Flood.—"Where were Satan and his angels during the flood?" Satan is the prince of the power of the air. We would naturally suppose that he was trembling in the disturbed elements, hoping that Noah would be destroyed, fearing that himself would. When the Lord shut Noah in, we may readily believe He shut the devil out. 994. M. J. H. Revelation 12.—This department is too limited to give a just explanation of Revelation 12. In brief, the woman is the church; the sun, Christ and His righteousness, the glory of the dispensation of the Spirit; the moon, under her feet, the past, typical age; the twelve stars, the twelve tribes and twelve apostles; the dragon, Satan; the male child, Jesus Christ; the flood, persecution; the days, so many years of papal persecution, A.D. 538 to 1798; the earth helped the woman, by opening an asylum in the Western continent, and staying the tide of persecution. There will be articles on this wonderful chapter in the SIGNS during this year, the Lord willing. 995. W. F. F. Rom. 14:5.—It means just what it says. The decision regarding all days, sacred or otherwise, must be left to the individual man. The lesson of the two chapters is that man is not to sit in judgment upon his fellows, respecting the things which lie between him and God. With it civil powers have naught to do.