To Sabbath-keepers who have not heard The Third Angel's Message.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
DEAR BRETHREN:—The Lord will soon come. To those who look for him and love his righteous appearing, these few words are addressed. We, that have long observed the Sabbath of the Lord, have been looking forward with great desire to the time when this commandment of Jehovah, so long trodden down by the power that should “think to change times and laws,” should be restored. We have expected to see the Sabbath triumph. Perhaps we have expected too much from this sinful world.—The great mass even of professors of religion, will never yield obedience to this oracle of God. But after seeing the clear light upon it and rejecting it, their house will be left unto them desolate. But rejoice with me, brethren, the truth is even now triumphing with the honest. Those who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and are looking, and longing for his glorious appearing, and wish to be found of him in peace, without spot or wrinkle, are being led to see that they must keep all the commandments of God; that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the City. You doubtless remember the cry that went through the world, that the Lord would come in 1843. This message was derided under the name of Millerism, but not by those who loved the Lord and believed his word. He promised, before he left the world, to come again; and none who love him and understand his word, will ever scoff at the idea of his coming.—Just such a proclamation as this, is symbolized by an angel having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of the judgment is come. Rev. xiv, 6, 7. Brethren, inquire carefully whether this scripture was not then fulfilled. Perhaps you are ready to say that the proclamation was false, because the Lord did not come, and therefore cannot be the fulfillment. To this I answer, that the Author of the prophetic word is not answerable for the mistakes of fallible humanity. His children oft fulfill his word, when they do not understand all about what they are doing. Concerning what took place when Christ rode into Jerusalem, which was a fulfillment of prophecy, it is said:— “These things understood not his disciples at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.” John xii, 16. So the people of God, in giving this judgment hour cry, in connection with the termination of the 2300 days of Daniel, for lack of knowledge, said, then the Lord will come. But the Prophet said, “Unto 2300 days, then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed.” And the Revelator saw two other messages follow the judgment hour cry, before he saw the Son of man on the white cloud. Rev. xiv, 14. The error in regard to the event to take place at the termination of the days, does not prove that the preaching of time did not fulfill the prophecy of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, any more than that of the disciples, in supposing that Jesus would at that time restore the kingdom to Israel, proved that they had nothing to do with the fulfillment of that prediction in Zech. ix, 9. It is not my intention to argue this question, but only to awaken in your minds the spirit of inquiry that you may examine the subject for yourselves.—The Holy Spirit, by the prophet Daniel, has given us definite time. Was it intended that we, in these last days, should “understand” this time, and be benefited by it, or is it impossible for us to understand it in this mortal state? If the last supposition is true, why was it given to us? And ought not Paul to have accepted this, when he said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable”? An angel was sent to inform the prophet Daniel, that seventy weeks were determined upon his people, and told him that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, unto the Messiah, should be 69 weeks. If Jesus was the Christ, these weeks were weeks of years. From the going forth of the decree, B. C. 457, to three years and a half after the crucifixion, (which was “in the midst of the week,”) is 70 weeks, or 490 days. Ought not the Jews to be convinced from their own scriptures, that the Messiah has already been manifested? Most certainly. And yet they are looking to the future for their Messiah. Very well. If Jews ought to be convinced of this fact by time, surely Christians ought to know that the remainder of the 2300 days, from which the seventy weeks were “cut off,” are also ended. Take 490 from 2300, and we have 1810. To A. D. 34 add 1810, and we have A. D. 1844. “Then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed.” It is not a matter of small importance, thus anciently, and definitely foretold. Then it behoves us to inquire the meaning of cleansing the Sanctuary. I would like to say more on the subject of time, but the limits I have prescribed for myself forbid. I wish, however, to call your attention to the effect produced by preaching definite time. It awakened a spirit of inquiry in regard to bible truth. They took their lamps and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And though the lamps of the foolish have gone out, for want of oil in their vessels, those of the wise shine more and more, and will continue to shine till we come to the perfect day. The judgment hour cry was opposed by the churches. They, who professed to love the Lord, began to disfellowship those who proclaimed him near. Meeting-houses were closed against this message. And they, who scarcely thought of a separation from the churches, were compelled as it were, to give the second angel's message, viz: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” Rev. xiv, 8. I remember well of hearing that the churches in the Eastern States were being torn in pieces by the advent doctrine. And why were not the churches which kept the Sabbath equally affected with the rest? Because they stood upon a truth which was not held by those who were preaching the Advent. But those who loved the Lord, and wished to be found of him without spot and blameless, in searching the sure word, began to see that there was no authority in that word for a change of the day originally sanctified by God as the Rest-day. When honest people see this, they obey God rather than man. So they were led along down the track of prophecy to the third angel’s message. Rev. xiv, 9—12. “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast, or his image, or receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God,” &c. “HERE is the patience of the saints; HERE are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” In this message is brought to view two classes.—One class worship the beast and receive his mark; the other keep the commandments, (not nine of them only,) and have the faith of Jesus. If you examine this subject, you will see clearly that the mark of the beast is that institution of the beast by which he attempts to set aside the commandment of the Most High, thinking himself able to “change times and laws.” But I was about to tell you the result of preaching definite time. It has finally resulted in turning hundreds, and perhaps I might say thousands, to the Sabbath of the Lord. This you will say is good fruit.—Very well. Can a corrupt tree bear this good fruit? Now I know you will wish to examine the subjects here briefly hinted at. You will make known your wishes by addressing a letter to JAMES WHITE, editor of the ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD, Rochester, N. Y., “Terms—Gratis. It is expected that all the friends of the cause will aid in its publication, as the Lord hath prospered them.” Listen to no cry of “fanaticism,” or, “shut door,” but send in your names for the paper. Mill Grove, N. Y., May 25th, 1852.