William Miller and the 2300 Days
By Joseph Bates
THOUGHTS ON THE PAST WORK OF WILLIAM MILLER, AND HIS ADHERENTS, RESPECTING THE TRUE STARTING POINT OF DAN. VIII, 14; IX, 24, 25. On a recent visit to Low Hampton, N. Y., I visited the grave of this venerable man. The white marble monument erected over his head, shows to the passing traveler, a book chiseled out on the front of the marble slab, representing a Bible. On the first page, in large black letters, are the following appropriate words: "And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. viii, 14. Here, thought I, lies the venerable man that so successfully repeated these words of holy writ. With this mighty weapon of the Lord of hosts, accompanied by his Spirit, in a few years did he make up and move out a company of faithful believers who associated with him, and awakened and aroused "them that dwell upon the earth." Rev. xiv, 6, 7. Where, thought I, is the advent believer that does not know that the world was aroused by a calculation on time, from the 2300 days of Dan. viii, 14, the vision of days that had been sealed up from the church of God for about 2400 years. [For sealing up, see Dan. viii, 17, 26; xii, 4, 9.] The opening of this book [Rev. x,] in "the time of the end," and the presentation of this mighty truth, was what aroused the people to prepare for the cleansing of the sanctuary, and the coming of the Lord Jesus. No advent believer can doubt but this was the man that God moved out to give the world the true starting point of the 2300 days. All that have read his works, or heard him preach, know that he commenced the days from the 7th year of the reign of Artaxerxes, B. C. 457, in harmony with Dan. ix, 24, 25. That he was right in starting the vision with this date, the numerous publications in past advent history show, where many in the churches and colleges, raised their objections, and were all silenced by the united efforts of himself and his associates, before the ending of the days in the Fall of 1844.157 Then I thought of the strange scenes of distraction that followed his work; even by his associates and professed friends, since the passing of the time. From the Albany, N. Y. Conference of April, 1845, to the Spring of 1850, the work of moving this starting point went forward. March 2d, 1850, the Advent Herald sent forth an able article, showing most clearly that they had returned once more to the original starting point of Daniel's vision of the 2300 days. Following this, was a most valuable work of 232 pages, from the same press, by S. Bliss, entitled, Analysis of Sacred Chronology, covering the whole ground by unanswerable arguments. The Herald speaks as follows: "It is by the Canon of Ptolemy that the great prophetical period of seventy weeks is fixed. This Canon places the seventh year of Artaxerxes in the year B. C. 457; and the accuracy of the Canon is demonstrated by the concurrent agreement of more than twenty eclipses. The seventy weeks date from the going forth of a decree respecting the restoration of Jerusalem. We must therefore look to the seventh of Artaxerxes. This date we cannot change from B. C. 457, without first demonstrating the inaccuracy of Ptolemy's Canon. To do this, it would be necessary to show that the large number of eclipses, by which its inaccuracy has been repeatedly demonstrated, have not been correctly computed; and such a result would unsettle every chronological date." We will here give a few more extracts from the Herald. "We have no new light respecting the connection between the 70 weeks and 2300 days. The only argument against their connection is the passing of the time. Why that has passed is a mystery to us, which we wait to have revealed."—Advent Herald, Sept. 7th, 1850. "There has nothing transpired to weaken the force of those arguments, but the passing of the time we expected for their termination. We now have no other fact to advance against their connection; and therefore can only wait for the mystery of the passing of the time to be explained. But of the commencement and termination of the 70 weeks, we are satisfied that they cannot be renounced from the position which Protestants have always assigned them."—Advent Herald, Feb. 22d, 1851. A correspondent asks the following questions, and the Editor of the Herald gives the answers, which are enclosed in brackets. "In your Chronology the cross is placed A. D. 31. What are the principal objections which bear against its being placed in A. D. 30? [Ans. 1. The absence of any evidence placing it there. 2. The contradiction of the wonderful astronomical, chronological, and historical coincidences which show beyond the shadow of controversy, that the seventh of Artaxerxes was in the year, B. C. 457-8"] "If the seventy weeks of Dan. ix, do not commence in the twentieth of Artaxerxes, how can the 2300 days begin at the same time with them? [Ans. They cannot.] Must we not henceforth consider that they have different starting points? [Ans. Yes.]" Advent Herald, May 22d, 1852. The reader will please notice, that in answer to this last question, the Herald has denied the connection between the 70 weeks and the 2300 days. Probably no portion of prophecy has occupied the mind of the true believer, both in the past and present, as Dan. ix 24-27 has. The true exposition, and proclamation of which was designed by God to arouse the world, and move the church through their purifying process, preparatory to immortality and eternal life. Let us now hold their argument forth by the side of truth. 1. From 1841 to 1845, they were intimately associated with William Miller in proclaiming the 2300 days of Dan. viii, in connection with Dan. ix, showing their starting point to be in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes B. C. 457. 2. From the Spring of 1845, they commenced the dissolution of the starting point, B. C. 457, and moved it onward to show that the 2300 days must end this side of the Fall of 1844. In the Spring of 1850, the Herald commenced advocating the starting point, B. C. 457, as it did in 1843. 3. From the Spring of 1850, to the Spring of 1852, it continued to publish, according to the foregoing statements, and thus to re-establish, according to their answer to a correspondent, the wonderful astronomical, chronological, and historical coincidences, which show beyond the shadow of controversy, that the seventh of Artaxerxes was in B. C. 457. 4. In the Spring of 1852, in answer to the question put them by a correspondent, "Must we not henceforth consider that they, referring to the 70 weeks and 2300 days, have different starting points?" The answer is "yes!" Let us now take a retrospective view of the above four points. 1. For evidence on this point, their testimony went out and was received through preaching, and publications, too numerous to mention, which by the Fall of 1844, silenced all opposition with respect to the starting point, and clearly showed the ending of the 2300 days on the tenth day of the seventh month, 1844. 2. Their work; associated with others, in attempting, by books, and tracts, &c., to dissolve the harmony of the prophetic periods, (therein mentioned,) which they, and the church of God had been laboring so long to sustain, caused distraction throughout the ranks of Advent believers. 3. They re-establish the harmonious view of 1844, and show "beyond the shadow of controversy," that B. C. 457 is the true starting point. So that Josiah Litch, that once so ably defended and harmonized these points, at length says: "Chronologically, the period is at an end, according to the best light to be obtained on the subject; and where the discrepancy is, I am unable to determine." Advent Herald, Dec. 28, 1852. 4. That after all the foregoing testimony, and much more of the same tenor set forth in the Review for Dec. 23, 1852, and still more which might be presented, they have again changed their view, and declare the 70 weeks, and 2300 days have different starting points. Let us see if Daniel so understood it. "Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision." Dan. viii, 16. What vision? Ans. The vision of the 2300 days. In the last verse he says, "none understood it." But in the first verse of Chap. x, he says, he had understanding of the vision, "and the thing was true." Here is positive evidence that Daniel received from the angel Gabriel, all the evidence that ever was given him respecting the starting point of his vision, from Chap. ix.—Verse 25, shows but one starting point, from one decree to restore and build Jerusalem. This decree was given to Ezra in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. Ezra vii, 7, 9. See the decree in verses 11-16. Nehemiah, nor any other person but Ezra, never received a decree to restore and build Jerusalem. Cyrus issued a proclamation, B. C. 536, to build the house of the Lord God of Israel in Jerusalem. Then Ezra, as above stated, followed in B. C. 457. Thirteen years afterward, Nehemiah received from Artaxerxes two letters, one to convey him to Judah; the other was to Asaph, the keeper of the forest; for a grant of timber to make beams for the gates of the Palace, which appertained to the house, and for the walls of the city. Neh. ii, 7, 8. Therefore it was not the work of Nehemiah to commence to restore and build Jerusalem, from the captivity of Zedekiah where all was laid waste, [Jer. lii, 12-14,] but to build the walls and gates then broken down, which Ezra had been restoring. Neh. i, 1-3. Now it is clearly settled, from the best authority, that Ezra's decree was given in B. C. 457. See Sacred Chronology by S. Bliss, and Advent Herald, March 2, 1850; and Feb. 15th, 1851. As, it is an undisputed fact by all Hebraists, that the word, determined, in Dan. ix, 24, signifies cut off, and as the 70 weeks seal the vision and prophecy, and as this decree went forth from Ezra in the Fall of B. C. 457, seventy weeks of years subtracted, or cut off, from the 2300 years would carry the point to the Fall of A. D. 34, leaving just 1810 years of the 2300 which would end in the Fall of A. D. 1844. And "then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Once more. Verse 25 shows the same starting point, to run 69 weeks of years to the coming of the Messiah. Turn to the first chapter of Mark, you will read that after the Messiah was baptized, he came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom, declaring "the time is fulfilled." [The 69 weeks of years.] Luke in giving the same account of his baptism, says, "he began to be about thirty years of age." Luke iii, 21-23. Here we understand was the completion of the 69 weeks or 483 years. Beginning these with the 7th year of Artaxerxes, B. C. 457, we find they extend to the Fall of A. D. 27. To this last date add 1817 years, and it brings us to the Fall of 1844, the whole length of the 2300 days. Here we understand the perfect harmony of the scaling of the vision and prophecy of Dan. viii and ix, proving most clearly that the 2300 days could not possibly extend beyond the Fall of 1844, where the loud cry of the first angel [Rev. xiv, 6, 7] ended. According to the testimony of Luke, Jesus was about 30 years of age when he began his public ministry. See Num. iv, 3; 1 Chron. xxiii, 3. Then we understand that Jesus was about 30 years of age when the 69 weeks, or 483 years, ended. Then 1817 years more would complete the 2300 years in the Fall of 1844. Now if it is said that this vision could be extended to 1845, then 1818 years must be added to the 483. And if onward to another year, then 1819 must be added, and so on for every additional year. If prolonged to 1853, then 1826 years must be added to 483. In this case Dan. viii, 14 should read, Unto 2309 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. Again, every year that is added to 1817, beyond where Luke says he was about 30 years of age, the scripture must be altered from thence, and make Luke say, he was about 31 years of age, or if extended one year further, then he must say he was about 32, and so on year after year, viz: 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and if about 39 years of age, then the 2300 days would extend to 1853. As God does not say yea and nay, to the same thing, the testimony of the Advent Herald, in making different starting points for the 70 weeks and the 2300 days, or in any way changing the 7th year of Artaxerxes from B. C. 457, fails, being weighed in the balance and found wanting. This inexplicable position of the Herald, is, to some minds, most perplexing, and astonishing. If they should once publicly admit that the 2300 days were at an end, or could come to an end any where, by commencing them B. C. 457, and it was now 2308 years, 3 months, and 12 days since that date, (which by them has so often been declared to be the only true one, then they see, of course, that they would be in duty bound to show the Bible view of the sanctuary, and also its cleansing that follows the ending of the days. Not like the view which they gave in the Herald for April 27th, 1850. These two points once explained, would of necessity involve them in the open and shut door view connected with the Philadelphia state of the church. Rev. iii, 7, 8; Isa. xxii, 22; Matt. xxv, 6-10. And still onward to the Bible view of the third angel's message, with the keeping of all the commandments of God, and the faith, or all of the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. xiv, 12; xii, 17. For proof that they have lost their reckoning, and know not their whereabouts, please read their further statements.—Shortly after the Herald of May 1852, stated that the 70 weeks and 2300 days had different starting points. J. Cumings of N. H., ventured out again on the forbidden work of "prolonging the days" and requested the Herald, or rather the Editor to publish his article, and make what remarks he pleased. Here follow their remarks. "We know not what future light may be given on the termination of the prophetic periods, but we greatly deprecate this drawing conclusions with such positiveness, on a question of so much moment, on evidence which compared to that for 1843, is but as a rush light to the sun." Advent Herald, Nov. 6, 1852. A few weeks after the above, D. I. Robinson comes out also against J. Cumings, and others to show them their errors for setting new times. He closes by saying: "MY MIND ON TIME. 1. That the time as first proposed, about 1843, was of the Lord. 2. That in so long a period as 2300 years, we are not out of the limits of that phraseology, nor are we likely to be till it comes. 3. That all other times have turned out mistakes in the past. 4. That those now put forth, lack the main cable of chronological time, the united strength of the 2300 days harmonized with the 70 weeks! and therefore must be from the nature of the case, less convincing. 5. That as all 'definite' ones failed with it, there is reason to doubt these." Advent Herald, Dec. 18, 1852. Let us see how this looks. 1. He says the time as first proposed "about 1843" was of the Lord. Then the understanding is that the 2300 days ended there, for whatever is of the Lord will stand. 2. The definition of phraseology is "mode of speech"—Webster. Then we understand D. I. Robinson, that "we are not out of the limits of that mode of speech, nor are we likely to be, till it comes." Thus we can continue to say 2300 days, till it comes. It was of the Lord in 1843, but our position is 2300 days yet to come, no matter how long. This harmonizes with the Herald: "We know not what future light may be given on the termination of the prophetic periods." The time that is now being given, "on evidence which compared to that for 1843, is but as a rush light to the sun." "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so; and what will ye do in the end thereof?" Jer. v, 30, 31. The white marble tomb-stone that marks the spot where the man that God honored lies, shows to the passing traveler, though dead he "yet speaketh:" "And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." If the traveler asks, what is the meaning of those words, there is no response. He finished his work, and his Employer suffered him to be laid aside, until after the sanctuary should be cleansed. Dear reader, if you are troubled to understand this very important text, I would advise you by all means to procure a pamphlet of 68 pages, entitled, "The Sanctuary and 2300 days," published at the Review Office. In this work you will find the subject of the Sanctuary very fully, and clearly explained. Springfield, Mass., Feb. 3d, 1853.