p. 77 | Adventism by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Aug 2, 1864

Adventism.

By R. F. Cottrell

LETTER TO J. CROFFUT.

[The following article from Bro. Cottrell, was sent to the Sabbath Recorder, May 25, 1864, for publication, but for some reason has not appeared in that paper.—Ed. Review.]

DEAR BROTHER:—Though I have not the happiness of a personal acquaintance with you, yet I wish to express my pleasure from reading the few reasons of the hope that is in you, in your communication in the Recorder of May 5. You seem to have the key of prophecy, and evince that you are not unaccustomed to its use. You believe that the four universal empires of Daniel's prophecy have appeared and acted the part assigned them in the prophecy, because that these things have actually been done; and consequently that the kingdom of God is next to appear. You believe that the prophetic times for the first-advent, for the dominion of the Papacy, and for the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpets of Rev. ix, have had their fulfillment, because the events predicted to take place at their close have taken place, and thus justified the prediction. You believe that the signs given by our Lord of his second advent have appeared, and consequently it is our privilege and duty to know that his coming is near, even at the doors. You seem also to be aware that the judgment-hour cry of Rev. xiv, 6, 7, has been announced, and that this is another indication of the approach of the great day of the Lord.

This being a proclamation of definite time, it must have for its basis some definite period in the prophecies. That period can be no other, I think, than the twenty-three hundred days of Dan. viii, 14. And it is certain that if the first advent, the crucifixion and the confirmation of the covenant, marked the close of the sixty-nine, and the events of the seventieth week, then the remainder of that period—the twenty-three hundred days—from which the seventy weeks or four hundred and ninety days were cut off, have already expired. It is no strange thing that you believed these things, and consequently were disappointed in 1844.

You will observe, too, that the time message of Rev. x, which synchronizes with that of chapter xiv, 7, is placed at the close of the sixth trumpet, which, as you say, ended Aug. 11, 1840. From that time to 1844, is just the time for the proclamation of the judgment-hour cry—the solemn answeration that prophetic time should be no longer, and that the seventh angel was about to sound, and the mystery of God to be finished. Such a cry was heard right there, and, according to your key for understanding prophecy, the hand of the Lord was in it, though you and others were disappointed. And though no man knows the day and hour of Jesus coming, yet it was necessary to the fulfillment of the sure word that this message should be given, though many wicked should be terrified, and many believers should rejoice—and be disappointed; as it happened to the first disciples of Christ, when they fulfilled Zech. ix, 9. See Jno. xii, 12–16.

And now I wish to call your attention to the messages which immediately follow that of Rev. xiv, 6, 7. I wish you to apply the key to them, realizing that figures contain facts that are intended for our benefit; therefore, understanding the figure to contain a literal and tangible fact, it presents an object of faith, which I hope you will joyfully accept, giving glory to God. It is just as necessary that the second and third messages should be given before the coming of the Son of man, as that any other predicted event should take place. These are as sure of fulfillment as any other prophecy; and the Lord will not come till the third message shall be signally fulfilled. Now it is a historical fact that the first, the second and the third messages have been announced in their order. People may say, We don't believe it; but here they are, and God's word is being verified. It was necessary that the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus should be agitated, and that the people of God should be manifested by this searching test, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord; and it is being done. Thousands have already turned their feet into the testimonies of the Lord, as the result of the preaching of this message, and are now keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, which has so long been trodden under foot by the authority of that power which was to think himself able to change times and laws.

And are you, dear brother, looking for the second coming of the Lord without the third angel's message? Do you think a person can be prepared for translation at the advent, and be caught up from among the living, and yet repudiate, or even ignore this most solemn warning? Can any one reasonably expect to get his eyes fixed upward and walk right over the third angel's message into the kingdom of God, without noticing it or caring anything about it? No, brother, the Lord has placed this most solemn and fearful message of his word, right between us and the coming of Jesus, and those that pass through alive, will certainly hear and heed it.

Do you say you do not believe that the second and third messages have been announced? It is a historical fact that they have. How came you to believe that Persia, Greece and Rome were the kingdoms that were to succeed Babylon, the first of the series in Daniel's prophecy? It is simply because they came as predicted. Well, that is the way to believe the prophecy of the three messages. Perhaps you cannot be satisfied with such a fulfillment. It is just such a one as the Lord has sent, and he expects us to overcome our prejudices and receive it. The Jews were not satisfied with the lowly Nazarene as the Messiah. They said, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. But they were mistaken. He kept the Sabbath according to the commandment, though it was not in accordance with their traditions.

Dear brother, permit me to exhort you to open your eyes to what the Lord is doing in fulfillment of the third angel's proclamation. Believe this prophecy as you do others; and know that the Author of it is the Author of its fulfillment, however it may differ from our traditional notions. His way is perfect; the prophecy is sure, being guarded by his power, and he is now giving us his own interpretation of it.

R. F. COTTRELL.